
Jasmine Paolini is, without a doubt, one of the standout names that the women's circuit has gifted us this 2024. And even though she just lost the Wimbledon final against Barbora Krejcikova, being able to have the opportunity to reach two Grand Slam finals in a row has been sensational. The 28-year-old player has proven that breaking her own ceiling does not depend on age or height, but on believing in oneself. Today, she rises as the new world number 5 and positions herself as the third best player of the year, achieving these results after tremendous effort and aiming to continue improving.
Following the final at the All England Club, Paolini set her sights on her next goal: the Olympic Games in Paris. In an interview with Vogue, the Italian expressed her satisfaction with her performance in the past two Grand Slams where she reached the finals. However, she isn't dwelling on the past. Her focus is already on the present: "Wimbledon has been a very positive tournament, although there is a bit of regret within me for the defeat.
Still, I have to try to be happy for these past two wonderful weeks. Now I'll take a couple of days to relax and immediately try to readjust to playing on clay to arrive in the best shape possible for the Olympics, which is an important goal. It only comes around every four years, so I will give my all to perform well, even though it's not easy. Every tournament is different from the others, but what matters is always having the desire to fight for every point, striving to bring out the best," she said.
The symbiosis with her team and enjoyment, keys to her success
The new world number 5 is demonstrating that it is never too late to pursue your dreams; what matters is hard work and the dedication you put into what you do. She spoke about the importance of surrounding herself with a united team where each member assists her in technical, physical, and tactical aspects. Her coach and companion of the past 8 years is the former Italian player, Renzo Furlan, with whom she maintains a strong relationship and who helps her find tranquility before each match:
"Before stepping onto the court, especially if I'm feeling more tense or nervous, I try to talk to my coach to enter more serene and calm. Expressing my feelings and concerns before a match reduces my nervousness and the accumulated tension before it starts," she shared. And what about the mental aspect? Is that also something she is working on? "In the past, I have worked with psychologists, and the mental aspect is something that I definitely want to address as soon as possible because I believe it's crucial. Above all, I am convinced that, in my opinion, getting to know ourselves better greatly helps improve performance on the field," Paolini confessed.
Therefore, the Italian expresses contentment, enjoying the journey, something that all young people who aspire to a tennis career should do: "The message I would like to convey is to have fun, that is the most important thing. You must enjoy and be passionate about what you do; it should be your passion. And you should never be afraid to dream," commented Paolini, who draws inspiration from two of the greatest legends of the sport. "There is no doubt, my generation is the one that grew up watching the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal; it's simply legendary."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Paolini y cómo su derrota en Wimbledon le impulsará en los Juegos Olímpicos