Jasmine Paolini’s Secret Advantage: Rising Above the Odds

It’s an exciting time for Italian tennis at Roland Garros. While Jannik Sinner’s ascent to the world No. 1 spot is capturing global attention, another Italian star, Jasmine Paolini, is making her own headlines with an impressive run in both singles and doubles.

On Wednesday, Paolini, seeded No. 12, clinched the biggest victory of her career by defeating No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set battle, ending with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. This win secured her a place in her first Grand Slam semifinal. But Paolini’s success doesn’t stop there. Alongside her singles achievements, she and her doubles partner, fellow Italian Sara Errani, advanced to the doubles semifinals after a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Diana Shnaider and Emma Navarro.

“Today was just a perfect day,” Paolini said to the press, smiling as she reflected on her success in both matches. “The singles match was tough, and I’m happy I managed to come back strong in the third set after losing momentum in the second.”

Standing at just 5’4″, Paolini is often faced with questions about her height, especially after overcoming taller competitors like the 6’0″ Rybakina. Her upcoming match against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who stands five inches taller, will again test Paolini’s adaptability. However, Paolini has embraced her stature as a motivating factor, choosing to focus on enhancing her skills to counterbalance any physical limitations.

In 2024, Paolini has truly hit her stride, marking a breakthrough season. Prior to this year, she had never reached beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. That changed at the Australian Open, where she advanced to the fourth round, signaling her potential for a standout year. She continued to prove herself by claiming her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai, marking a career milestone.

In the lead-up to Roland Garros, Paolini and Errani continued their successful partnership by winning the doubles title in Rome, where they defeated Coco Gauff and Erin Routliffe. This marked their second doubles title of the season and the most significant of their collaboration so far.

As she moves forward in the tournament, Paolini finds valuable support from her experienced partner, Errani. Reflecting on the dynamic with her teammate, Paolini shared, “Playing doubles with Sara has been so helpful. We discuss strategy and she gives me advice on approaching each match with confidence. Sara’s experience in making it to a Grand Slam final has been incredibly inspiring and reassuring.”

With a strong foundation and the backing of her team, Paolini’s journey at Roland Garros highlights her relentless drive, resilience, and the strategic growth that has made 2024 her breakout year. Whether or not she ultimately captures the title, Paolini’s remarkable season has firmly established her as a rising force in the world of tennis.