Jasmine Paolini had 12 days to remember and a weekend to forget, as she savoured a bittersweet fantasy in Paris, often finding her best tennis on Roland Garros’ famous clay.
The 28-year-old Italian was powerless against an imperious Iga Swiatek in the women’s final last Saturday. Paolini had few chances, as the World No. 1 needed just 68 minutes to capture her third successive French crown, her fourth in five years, with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
In uncharted waters
Paolini stepped onto the Parisian red dirt again on Sunday, this time partnering compatriot Sara Errani in the women’s doubles final. She was unable to find any comfort after Saturday’s crushing loss, as the Italian pair lost 7-6(5), 6-3 to doubles expert Katerina Siniakova and reigning US Open singles’ champion Coco Gauff.
Although the fortnight ended in disappointment for Paolini, she knew she had entered uncharted waters. This time last year, she was playing a WTA 125 event, below the top tier, in Croatia, some distance away from the ranks of elite tennis. After her Roland-Garros showing, she has climbed seven spots to enter the top 10 for the first time in her career, peaking at World No. 7.
“It’s been two very intense weeks for me, very nice but very emotional,” said Paolini. “It’s a strange feeling. I just lost the final, but I think I have to be happy with the two weeks and my new ranking. A Grand Slam final… it’s beautiful. I have a lot of memories. I can’t wait to be back.”
Paolini is enjoying by far the best year of her career. She came into 2024 with a losing record as a pro of 78-87 and one career title. She had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances, never having gone beyond the second round at any Major.
But she is 22-11 this year with one trophy — her biggest title to date in Dubai, one of the tournaments just below Grand Slam level. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, and proved that wasn’t a one-off with her surging run to the final in Paris.
Paolini’s astonishing transformation this season into a player capable of challenging for the biggest prizes has stemmed in part from quashing the mindset that she needed “a miracle” to beat the best. She began to believe that her ability was enough, and the results came.
“I think I started to play better with more consistency last year,” said Paolini. “I think match by match I felt more convinced that I can play at the higher level but it was a process….