“It was an unbelievable experience”: Jasmine Paolini recalls first moment watching Sara Errani

Jasmine Paolini’s rise alongside Sara Errani has become one of the most consistent doubles partnerships on the WTA Tour, but their connection predates their recent success. The Italian revealed that one of her earliest memories of Errani came as a ball kid during a national team event, offering a glimpse into how their paths first crossed.

That progression—from ball kid to top seed—has been underlined again at the Miami Open, where Paolini and Errani advanced to the semifinals with another straight-sets victory. The Italian pair arrived as the No. 1 seeds and have maintained that level through the early rounds of the tournament.

Their run includes wins over Aoyama/Eikeri, Nicholls/Mihalikova and the sixth-seeded duo of Routliffe/Muhammad, reinforcing their position as one of the most reliable teams on the circuit. It reflects the consistency that has defined their partnership across the past two seasons.

They return to the semifinals in Miami after reaching the same stage in 2024, when they lost to eventual champions Sofia Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. This time, the Italian pair are aiming to go one step further and reach the final.

Paolini explained that her first close encounter with Errani came during a Fed Cup tie in Reggio Calabria, where she was working as a ball kid. At that stage, she was still far from the professional circuit, observing elite players from courtside rather than competing alongside them.

“I was a ball girl at the Fed Cup, Federation Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup in Reggio Calabria," Jasmine Paolini said during an interview with Tennis Channel. "And I think, I don’t know, I think Sara wasn’t playing singles there. I remember I was watching Pennetta and Schiavone, I think, and I was so stressful. I remember Pennetta was like, give the ball to the other ball kid because I don’t want from you.”

She described the experience as formative, marking the first time she had seen Errani and the Italian team at close range. That early exposure would later evolve into a partnership that has become one of the most successful in women’s doubles. “It was an unbelievable experience. And it was the first time I watched her, you know, from close side. And yeah, it was an amazing experience. And yeah, first time I met actually them all.”

Errani, however, admitted she did not remember that specific moment, highlighting the contrast between Paolini’s early perspective and their current status as established partners competing at the highest level.

Their partnership, formed in recent years, has developed into one of the most effective combinations on tour. The Italians have won nine titles together, including Roland Garros 2025, as well as five WTA 1000 events, and have played a decisive role in Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup triumphs in both 2024 and 2025.

They also claimed Olympic gold at Paris 2024, defeating Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the final—one of the defining moments of their partnership. The success reflects a blend of Errani’s experience and Paolini’s continued development within the doubles format.

Errani, who will turn 39 in April, brings extensive pedigree, including a Career Grand Slam alongside Roberta Vinci. Paolini, who turned 30 earlier this year, has evolved into a more complete doubles player, increasingly contributing to tactical decisions within matches. “At the beginning she was telling me more or less everything because I wasn’t playing doubles… Now I feel that I can give something as well. I can choose where I’m going to serve, where I’m going to return. Now I feel more comfortable to play doubles.”

Errani has also taken on a role within Paolini’s coaching team, adding a layer of collaboration that extends beyond doubles competition and into her singles preparation. “I try to help her… I’ve passed on many things that she’s passing now. So I try to give her my experience and the advices and a bit of tacticals in the matches.”

Their current run in Miami reflects that evolution, with both players pointing to a disciplined and controlled performance in their latest victory. Paolini described the match as “solid,” noting that the pair avoided unnecessary mistakes and executed their tactics effectively.

Errani emphasised the importance of maintaining that level as the tournament progresses, particularly with stronger opposition awaiting in the later rounds. The Italian pair are now positioned among the leading contenders remaining in the draw. “We have to focus, of course, in the next round and the semis will be a very tough match, but we’re here to try.”

They will face either fourth seeds Zhang/Mertens or the pairing of Jessica Pegula and Storm Hunter in the semifinals. With their current form, combined with a track record that includes multiple major titles and Olympic success, Paolini and Errani enter the next stage as one of the most complete teams in the field.