"It’s nice, but it is strange as well" - Jasmine Paolini on her newfound superstardom after her breakthrough on the WTA Tour

Tennis superstar Jasmine Paolini has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour over the past two years, but the Italian is still getting used to becoming one of the faces of womens tennis.

Paolini broke into the limelight during the 2024 season, when she won the biggest title of her career at the time at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Subsequently, Paolini would go on an incredible run, reaching tow consecutive Grand Slam finals, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Although the Tuscany native was unable to capture her maiden Grand Slam title on either occasion, she had announced her arrival to the world. Paolini would reach a career-high ranking of World No.4 in October 2024, and end the year with her maiden appearance at the WTA Finals.

Additionally, Paolini would win the womens doubles Olympic gold medal alongside compatriot and good friend Sara Errani, leading to a spike in her popularity. The diminutive star would also lead Italy to back-to-back Billie Jean King Cup titles, in 2024 and 2025.

The Italian would win the biggest title of her career at the 2025 Italian Open, to the delight of home fans. Furthermore, she would again team up with Errani to win her first Grand Slam title, when both women captured the womens doubles title at Roland Garros a few weeks later.

Following her immense success, Paolini has become one of the most popular athletes in her native country. The 29-year old admitted she is still adjusting to her new status, but is pleased at being able to draw more attention to Italian tennis.

"I think after the gold medal in the Olympics last year," said Paolini when asked about the moment she realized she as famous. "Then the Wimbledon final as well. After those two, something changed. I get more recognized. It’s nice, but it is strange as well.
"After the gold medal, it was something different. People were watching this on the TV and everyone was recognizing me after that. In the Grand Slams, people who are not always watching tennis are looking at these events and then the Olympics, well that is something else."

Paolini would also express her joy at winning the Italian Open, stating it was one of the best moments of her career.

"I don’t know," said the World No.8. "It was close to being there with the Olympics and the Wimbledon final. I didn’t expect to win Rome at all. Maybe I haven’t event realized yet what I did. I used to go there to watch that event and for an Italian to win Rome was very special."

The Italian is currently competing at the Ningbo Open, where she takes on Swiss player Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals.