Jasmine Paolini didn't only make evident progress in her game but she also changed her mindset this year as the 28-year-old admitted that she used to fear in the past and that was one of the things that kept her being where she was for years.
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As all of you probably know very well, the Italian has been the best story on the WTA Tour this season. In the last couple of seasons, she was mostly playing the main-level events - she would occasionally make an appearance at a WTA 125 tournament - but didn't have much success apart from winning two WTA titles in 2021.
But after being viewed as nothing more than a solid WTA player, Paolini drastically improved this year and she is now a two-time Grand Slam finalist - a WTA 1000 winner - as well as a top-5 player in the world. Also, the current world No. 5 became an Olympic champion in Paris after she and Sara Errani won the gold medal in the women's doubles event.
Since the Italian will be turning 29 in January, it can probably be stated that the game was always there. But the only thing that was preventing her from playing well consistently was her lack of confidence in herself.
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My mentality is a little bit different now. Before I was a little bit afraid to make the first round and now Im coming to the tournament thinking, I can make first round no problem. But Im going to fight to do more. Its a bit of a different mindset. Before I was really afraid to lose in the first round another time. Now if it comes, it comes it can happen. But great things can happen also," Paolini told The National.
Earlier this year, she also confessed that in the past, she didn't think all of this was possible for her.
Paolini explains what helped her elevate herself to a new level
Last year, the 29-year-old started to play doubles with fellow compatriot Sara Errani, a 2012 French Open finalist and a former world No. 5 in singles. And in three tournaments they played together last year, they won a title and twice reached the semifinal.
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Reflecting on everything now, Paolini says she benefited from just being around the 37-year-old, who was once one of the best singles players in the world.
I think I started to play better at the end of last year and I think doubles helped me a lot. Talking with her everyday helped me a lot. She did amazing things, had an amazing career and she is very smart on court. So I could ask for any advice on court, speaking also to her, training with her, helped me understand the game more and to understand more whats happening in the court. I would say the tactical part of the game, thats the most Im trying to learn from her. She loves tennis more than anyone else on the tour I think; she really loves this game. So tactically is where she helped me the most," the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon runner-up explained.
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How Paolini would like people to view and think of her?
Besides her game and dreamy 2024 season, a big reason why fans love the 28-year-old so much is the fact that she is always looking so positive and joyful on the court. Throughout the year, she has been making new fans all around the world - and it is not surprising - considering that she is also a charismatic person.
For example, after winning a match a couple of months ago, an interviewer told Paolini that she was a person with a big heart. The Italian - who stands at 5ft 4in or 163 cm - joked that she had to have a big heart because she was "so small."
And now, she just wants people to remember her as someone who wanted to be a positive influence.
I hope people enjoy watching me play, they think that Im a good person, Im a positive example. I guess they want me to smile and I try to do it, thats myself, I smile a lot. I really like that my smile arrives to the people. I think I get it from my mum, who as well is smiling a lot. I think I got it from my parents, to understand that Im in a lucky position and theres nothing to complain about. Just to try to always see the glass half full and not half empty," she shared.
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Meanwhile, Paolini had a first-round bye in Beijing as the third-seeded player and she kicks off her campaign at the WTA 1000 tournament by taking on Clara Tauson.
