“You have to believe in yourself,” Jasmine Paolini addresses being a role model for ‘short people’ everywhere
Jasmine Paolini is currently 4th on the Race to the WTA Finals and will be looking to join Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in Saudi Arabia.
Jasmine Paolini at 2024 US Open (Image via US Open)
World No.5 Jasmine Paolini has gained a lot of fans for her lively personality on the tennis court. After winning her first-round match against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, she reflected on her journey. Paolini, who is shorter than many players, hopes to inspire others of similar height to believe in themselves.
Despite her height, Paolini has proven she belongs among the best in the WTA. In 2024, she reached the finals of both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, making this year a breakthrough for her. She is determined to create even more memorable moments as the season continues.
Yes I’m pretty short, I know. But As I say always, I have to use my own strategy. It’s different. I have to try to build the point. I always say don’t let people say you can’t do something if you’re short of whatever. You have to believe in yourself and you have to do with what you have.
Jasmine Paolini said in her post-match interview
One of Paolini’s key strengths this season has been winning matches even when not at her best. She started her China Open campaign with a hard-fought win against Tauson. After losing the first set 1-6, she fought back and won 7-5, 6-4, saving a game point at 4-4 in the final set before sealing the victory.
Paolini faced a tough loss in the Wimbledon final to Barbora Krejcikova. This affected her confidence at the Paris Olympics and led to a Round of 16 finish at the US Open. Despite these setbacks, she hopes to finish the year strong in Riyadh.
Jasmine Paolini prioritizes WTA Finals qualification at the China Open
Jasmine Paolini is focused on moving forward and not looking back. This week, she enters the China Open, ranked No.4 in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. Despite a strong season, including her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai and two Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, she knows there’s still more to achieve.
We are trying to keep focused, to be in the present. It’s tough because it’s the end of the season. I’ve played many matches, but it’s good that I’ve played many matches actually. We are trying to keep practicing well, to keep being motivated. There is a big goal I had: We have to qualify for the WTA Finals. So we have to push on the accelerator.
Jasmine Paolini on the WTA Insider
Her ability to stay focused and not dwell on her rise has been key to her success. Before 2024, Paolini had never won consecutive matches at a Grand Slam and had just one WTA title from Portoroz in 2021. She had also never ranked higher than No.29 in the world.
At the start of the year, qualifying for the WTA Finals in Riyadh wasn’t even on her radar. Now, nearly ten months into the season, she is close to reaching her first year-end championship in both singles and doubles. Paolini, alongside her doubles partner Sara Errani, is ranked No.5 in the PIF Race for doubles, making her the only player in the Top 10 in both categories.
Paolini is aiming to become the first Italian woman to qualify in singles since Flavia Pennetta in 2015. She made her debut at the China Open last year, ranked No.36, and reached the Round of 16 after defeating Beatriz Haddad Maia and China’s Yuan Yue, before losing to then-No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Fahad Hamid
(341 Articles Published)