From outside the top 30 to Grand Slam finals: Andy Roddick hails Jasmine Paolini’s remarkable year

Friday, 27 December 2024 at 07:30

Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick praised Jasmine Paolini after an incredible season in which she reached two Grand Slam finals and achieved a year-end ranking of World No. 4. The American highlighted the Italian's significant growth at this stage of her career, considering that at 28 years old, she had yet to break into the top 30.

The 2003 US Open champion credited Enzo Furlan, Paolini’s coach since 2020, as a key figure in her rise to World No. 4. Furlan, who was recently named WTA Coach of the Year, also drew praise from Roddick.

Paolini's amazing 2024 season

In the latest episode of Served with Roddick, the former World No. 1 celebrated Paolini’s outstanding season, which included her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and a gold medal in Olympic doubles in Paris 2024 alongside compatriot Sara Errani.

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"Raise your hand if you had someone on your bingo card who had never finished a year in the top 25 making consecutive Major finals and finishing fourth in the world at 28-29 years old, later in their career," said the former US Open champion. "What a year for Jasmine Paolini!"

"Just an absolute shot of life into the tennis world. Props to Renzo Furlan for what I call the 'Magnus Norman effect,'" Roddick added. "The Magnus Norman effect takes someone like Stan Wawrinka from 30 in the world to 5. He’s done it repeatedly with multiple players. The progress and improvement he’s achieved are remarkable."

"I don’t think the World No. 1 should automatically have their coach named Coach of the Year," Roddick stated. "At certain points in their careers, my cat could have coached Roger Federer to the No. 1 ranking. But take nothing away from Jasmine Paolini—what a story she’s been in 2024."

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"I don’t care about what she does in 2025; I don’t even want to go there. No one saw this coming. It’s the biggest upset of the entire year in terms of where she finished in the rankings, and I’m here for it. I loved watching her this year," he concluded.

The Italian will now play in the United Cup, teaming up with Flavio Cobolli as they aim to secure another title for Europe. The region recently triumphed in both the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. Paolini is set to debut against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic on December 29

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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