“We have the world number one,” Jasmine Paolini reveals the impact of Jannik Sinner in Italy’s resurgence in tennis

Jasmine Paolini’s run at the 2025 Miami Open, has been her best performance of the year in singles so far.

“We have the world number one,” Jasmine Paolini reveals the impact of Jannik Sinner in Italy’s resurgence in tennis

Jasmine Paolini, Jannik Sinner (Images via X)

Jasmine Paolini has become the first Italian female player to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open. In her post match press conference after defeating Magda Linette in the quarterfinals, Paolini spoke about the impact of Jannik Sinner in the Italian tennis sphere.

When Sinner reached the finals of the Australian Open in 2024, where he eventually won his maiden Grand Slam title, he became the first Italian player to reach the singles final at this major and the third Italian man to reach a major final in the Open Era.

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Jannik has helped a lot, we have the world number one, it’s amazing for Italy. Tennis is growing a lot, we believe more that we can achieve great results because we see other players doing it. When I was warming up, Lorenzo and Matteo were in the area, there are many Italians, so it’s nice.

Jasmime Paolini told the reporters

Later in 2024, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian tennis player to hold the World No. 1 rank. Sinner also led Italy to triumph at the Davis Cup twice in 2023 and 2024. Prior to this, Italy was last crowned the Davis Cup champions in 1976. Being World No. 1 for 42 weeks now, Sinner has surpassed Andy Murray‘s 41 weeks as World No. 1.

While Sinner, the Miami Open defending champion is suspended from tour currently on account of his doping case, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini has made significant progress in the Miami Open this year, reaching the quarterfinals, where he will face Taylor Fritz.

Jasmime Paolini faced Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open semifinals

Jasmine Paolini has also made a significant mark for Italy in tennis. With a career-high ranking of World No. 4 in singles, she ties the record for the highest-ranked Italian singles WTA player with Francesca Schiavone. Paolini is also an Olympic Gold medalist in women’s doubles with Sara Errani at the Paris Olympics.

Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini (Image via X)

Paolini’s run at the 2025 Miami Open, has been her best performance of the year in singles so far. She had defeated Rebecca Sramkova and Naomi Osaka in prior rounds of the tournament although she faced defeat to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the Miami Open semifinals. A particular highlight of this match was Sabalenka’s delightful tweener in the first set.

Sabalenka on the other hand has defeated Viktoriya Tomova, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins and Qinwen Zheng in her prior rounds. Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 4-2 against Paolini. Paolini’s two victories over Sabalenka have been in three sets, once on grass court and once on hard court.

Sabalenka, known to be a hard court specialist, is yet to win a title in either of the Sunshine Double events. She came close twice in Indian Wells, being the runner up in 2023 and 2025. The Belarusian has reached the finals of the Miami Open for the first time in her career now where she will face either Alexandra Eala or Jessica Pegula. She stands a strong chance to win her second title of the year, although there is also a good possibility of an upset from Eala.