Jasmine Paolini has just reached a new decisive milestone in her career. On Tuesday, on the iconic clay courts of the Foro Italico, she turned around a match that everyone thought was lost against Diana Shnaider. Trailing by a set and a break, she managed to win twelve of the last fourteen games, thus prevailing (6-7, 6-4, 6-2). This success symbolizes more than just a qualification. Indeed, she becomes the first Italian since Sara Errani in 2014 to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious Rome tournament.
This victory is not a matter of chance. It rewards a trajectory marked by tenacity, resilience, and exemplary courage in the face of obstacles.
A Path Strewn with Obstacles
Jasmine Paolini was born on January 4, 1996, in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a small town in Tuscany surrounded by mountains and tranquility. The daughter of an Italian father and a mother of Ghanaian and Polish descent, she grew up in a multicultural environment that nurtured her discreet yet determined personality. As a teenager, she gave up swimming to take up tennis, a decisive choice that would soon shape her future.
However, her professional beginnings in 2012 were modest. Far from the spotlight, she roamed the anonymous courts of ITF tournaments. For years, she struggled to make her mark, faced with recurring injuries and questions about her sporting future. Yet she held on, stubbornly refusing the idea of giving up.
It was only in 2019, at the age of 23, that she finally broke into the world’s top 100. In a sport dominated by young prodigies with meteoric careers, her progress seemed slow, almost laborious. But this slowness is also her strength: each step taken is firmly rooted in her experience and determination.
2024: The Year of Breakthrough
The year 2024 represents a true turning point for Paolini. She surprises the tennis world by reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals. Indeed, she stands out at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, becoming the first Italian to achieve this historic feat. In parallel, she wins the prestigious Olympic gold medal in doubles alongside her illustrious compatriot Sara Errani, triumphs brilliantly at the WTA 1000 in Dubai, and leads the Italian team to a final victory in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Thanks to this succession of remarkable performances, she joins for the first time the very exclusive circle of the world’s best players. Thus, she joins the top players of this prestigious group. Indeed, she joins the top five in this prestigious group. An exemplary athlete recognized for her intelligent play, perfect court coverage, and relentless fighting spirit.
A Change of Era at the Top
In March 2025, eager to go even further, Paolini courageously decides to end her collaboration with her long-time coach, Renzo Furlan. She then chooses Marc López, a former Spanish player and doubles partner of the legendary Rafael Nadal. This strategic decision reflects an increased ambition: to become a lasting and essential figure in women’s world tennis.
This choice quickly bears fruit. She notably reaches the semi-finals of the highly competitive WTA 1000 in Miami, after notable victories against renowned opponents such as Naomi Osaka and Magda Linette.
A Promising Player
But Paolini is much more than an elite athlete. Her personal story, marked by trials and uncertainties, serves as an inspiring example for many. She represents humble and stubborn perseverance, this quiet but daily fight against the limits imposed by the body and doubt. Every obstacle encountered has never been anything but an additional reason to move forward.
Today, she is the flagship of Italian tennis. She holds the best national position in singles and doubles. She also becomes a sought-after ambassador for prestigious brands like Asics, Yonex, and Alfa Romeo, symbolizing this modern and conquering Italy, both elegant and combative.
A National Idol on Clay
On the clay courts of the Foro Italico, her name now resonates with strength and pride. Every victory by Paolini is experienced as a collective victory by a passionate audience that sees itself in her fighting spirit. Her ability to turn situations around, as in her recent feat against Shnaider, fuels popular enthusiasm. She perfectly embodies an Italy that is both authentic and ambitious.
In the semi-final, a new challenge awaits her against Elina Svitolina or Peyton Stearns. It’s an additional step in the impressive rise of this player. She was recently battling to survive in the early rounds of major tournaments.
A Star Shining Late
At 29, Jasmine Paolini redefines the norms of women’s tennis. Far from the usual model of early rising stars, she embodies late and fully deserved success. Her journey beautifully demonstrates that perseverance, combined with hard work, can surpass even the most precocious talent.
Rome is therefore just a stage in a fascinating journey. And it is certain that the story of Paolini still has beautiful chapters to write.