French luxury tycoon Bernard Arnault was spotted playing tennis with retired Swiss legend Roger Federer at the Taormina Tennis Club in Sicily on Wednesday, August 12.
The 77-year-old chief executive of luxury empire LVMH and the 20-time Grand Slam winner arrived in the region by yacht before meeting on court for a friendly rally and a doubles match.
Wearing a cap, Arnault hit several shots against Federer before the two men joined forces on the same side of the net. They were welcomed to the venue by Mario Quattrocchi, whom local newspaper La Sicilia described as the soul of the club.
Arnault was accompanied by several of his children, most of whom hold executive roles managing individual brands within his business empire. The billionaire already knew Quattrocchi personally, having visited the Taormina Tennis Club on previous occasions.
Doubles match in Sicily
Video footage captured by Radio Taormina showed the two men chatting warmly at the net during their session on court. Observers noted that the French businessman and the former world number one appeared to share a warm rapport throughout the match.
According to local media reports, Arnault and Federer arrived in Sicily on board a luxury yacht. Reports did not clarify whether the vessel was Symphony, Arnault's superyacht estimated to be worth several hundred million euros, or a boat belonging to Federer.
Local reporting indicates that both men plan to remain in the region for several additional days following their appearance at the Sicilian club.
Background on LVMH and Federer
Arnault is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate. He is widely recognized as the wealthiest person in France, overseeing a portfolio that includes major fashion houses, jewellery makers, and wine producers.
The Sicilian outing comes as Arnault faces scrutiny at home in France, where tax authorities have pursued a major tax adjustment requiring a payment of 22.5 million euros.
Federer retired from professional tennis after a career during which he won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including Roland-Garros and all three other major tournaments. The Swiss star is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
The Taormina Tennis Club is located in Taormina, a historic hilltop town on the eastern coast of Sicily known for its scenic views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.
