Paolini: "If they had told me at the beginning of the tournament, it would have seemed impossible to me"

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Jasmine Paolini is the standout name of the WTA Rome 2025. The Italian tennis player entered the tournament in her home country after a rocky start to the season, perhaps due to high expectations following her impressive 2024. However, once she switched gears and started training with Marc López, the more consistent Paolini returned.

The world number five reached the semifinals in Miami and Stuttgart. However, her journey in Rome has not been a walk in the park as in her last three matches, she had to come back from behind. Against Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16, Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals, and finally against Peyton Stearns. She struggled initially with the American, but once she found her rhythm, the regular and dominant Paolini emerged to become the third Italian to reach the final of the WTA Rome (7-5, 6-1). She spoke about her great week at home, the change in mindset, her match against Stearns, and her potential opponent in the final at a press conference, in comments reported by Ubitennis.

A different Paolini from last year

"I try to remind myself that last year was great, but it gives me a lot of confidence to remember that, a lot of experience that I have under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It’s different, a completely different story. At the same time, I try to tell myself: ‘Look, remember that last year we had an incredible year’."

An unforgettable and surprising tournament

"It's fantastic to be in the final of Rome, it was a tough match, but winning was important. Sara Errani is part of my team, a key piece, and having her by my side is fantastic. Last year was incredible and everything was a surprise, but this is another year, a different year; I play with more awareness of what it feels like to win certain matches. But what is always important is to be surprised, as in this case: a final at the Foro Italico is crazy. If they had told me at the beginning of the tournament, it would have seemed impossible. I hope to enjoy it to the fullest."

From struggling to dominating against Stearns

"I started very slowly, had a hard time getting into the match, then little by little I told myself, push through and found a rhythm, felt better, it was an uphill battle but I am happy with how I endured the match, even though I wasn't feeling very well. I started nervous and tense and ended up relaxed. I hope to have a good final and play at my best level with a more consistent game. In the end, winning is what counts, it was a progression, but I managed to finish well. For the next match, I will have to step up my game. Sara was the last to reach the final, and I’m glad I achieved it too."

Gauff or Zheng in the final

"Both play well, with spin forehands that can bother me. It will continue to be a tough match, they have played well, and I will have to seize my chances in the final."

Surprised by Swiatek's decline

"Perhaps Swiatek, whom I faced last year at Roland Garros, plays very well on clay in my opinion and not seeing her in the draw surprises me, but I am confident she will bounce back."

A late appearance

"I matured late in tennis terms, everyone has their own path, some grow earlier and some later. I made the leap at 28, and I enjoy the moment without thinking about what I could have done at 23-24’."

A tightly packed calendar that doesn’t allow for 100% enjoyment

"I understand what Medvedev means when he talks about 'hamsters on a wheel'; mentally you always have to be at the top, and whether it goes well or not, there are always new matches, new goals. Even if you lose, there's always another chance, but the tournaments are so close together that you don't have the opportunity to fully enjoy them. So I try to remind myself at every tournament, realizing how much I have done," says a Paolini who wants to make history in her country and is just one step away from achieving it."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Paolini: "Si me lo hubieran dicho al principio del torneo, me habría parecido imposible"