“Roger is my idol”: Jasmine Paolini delivers heartfelt Centre Court tribute after ending Eala’s run
WTA
Jasmine Paolini did not speak at length about Alexandra Eala after her Wimblecon Centre Court victory. Instead, her attention quickly drifted away from the court itself and towards the Royal Box, where a familiar figure once again shaped the emotional backdrop of Wimbledon: Roger Federer. The Italian admitted that the presence of her childhood idol had an immediate impact on how she approached the match.
Paolini ultimately edged a tightly contested encounter against the player who had previously stunned Iga Swiatek, but the Italian framed the day less around the opponent and more around the atmosphere. In her post-match reflections, she repeatedly returned to the experience of playing in front of Federer, describing it as a moment she had visualised throughout her career.
The 13th seed converted the only break point of a decisive third set to seal a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win, ending Eala’s breakthrough Wimbledon run. With the victory, Paolini advanced to her first Grand Slam quarter-final since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2024, where she lost a three-set battle against Barbora Krejcikova.
The result also continued a quiet resurgence at the All England Club, where Paolini has gradually rebuilt confidence after a difficult start to the season, including a first-round bagel set earlier in the tournament.
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“I want to thank you, Roger”: Federer presence dominates Paolini reflection
Paolini’s most revealing comments came when she was asked about the Royal Box and the atmosphere on Centre Court. The presence of Roger Federer on Centre Court this Monday was a surprise at the All England Club, and the Paolini–Eala match featured a luxury guest such as the eight-time Wimbledon champion.
“I want to thank you Roger because he’s my idol,” Paolini said, smiling in her on-court interview. “I was like ‘please stay focused. Don’t think that he’s here.’ I was watching all the finals in all the tournaments he played here, so it’s an amazing feeling.”
The Italian admitted that managing her focus required conscious effort during the match itself, acknowledging that the emotional weight of Federer’s presence was difficult to ignore.
Beyond the Federer reference, Paolini also highlighted the broader significance of competing and winning at Wimbledon, stressing the importance of the crowd and the tournament environment in her recovery this season. “I would like to thank everybody who is here,” she added. “You make this tournament so special and I don’t know, it’s an amazing feeling to be here right now with the win.”
"He's my idol!"
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2026
A match Jasmine Paolini will never forget with @rogerfederer watching on from the Royal Box#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1Uh95JxmKr
On court, fine margins define Paolini’s win over Eala
On court, the match itself was defined by fine margins, with Paolini securing the only break of the final set in a contest that remained balanced throughout. Her ability to convert under pressure ultimately separated her from Eala in a match that tested both players’ consistency on grass.
Paolini did not arrive with too much confidence at Wimbledon. She had not managed consecutive titles since March at Indian Wells Open. She had only accumulated four victories in her last ten appearances, and after two years she had fallen out of the top 10 just a few weeks earlier.
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Ranked No. 17 at the start of the tournament, few would have seen her as one of the main contenders, but quietly Paolini has built momentum, including wins over Robin Montgomery, Viktorija Golubic, Maria Sakkari, and Eala.
Paolini — who secured her return to the top 15 — will face an intriguing quarter-final clash against Marta Kostyuk, who arrives in strong form from the clay swing (winning her first WTA 1000 at the Madrid Open and reaching the semifinals of Roland Garros).
The head-to-head favours the Italian 2-1, although their last meeting came three years ago in Cincinnati.
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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