Jasmine Paolini plans pre-US Open foray into gelato and rollercoasters as Cincinnati Open run bears fruit

Jasmine Paolini is used to facing pressure on the tennis court, but in Cincinnati, she’s proving she can handle more than just serves and backhands—she can handle heat, tiebreakers, and even the topic of rollercoasters and gelato with equal charm. After her impressive straight-sets victory over Ashlyn Krueger, Paolini joined Prakash Amritraj at the Tennis Channel desk for a post-match chat that was equal parts insightful and fun after she took down Ashlyn Krueger 7-6, 6-1 after previously seeing off Maria Sakkari.

“It was tough at the beginning,” Paolini admitted of the match. “I wasn’t feeling that great, but in the second set I felt better on the ball, more in control. It’s tough to play against her because she has a big serve and strong forehand and backhand. I was trying to defend well and find a way to move her, which I think was key. But it wasn’t easy. The conditions are tough—so hot—so I’m grateful to get the win.”

Paolini is no stranger to endurance matches, and when asked about playing in extreme heat, she kept her focus lighthearted. “I don’t know. I’m just trying to stay there and, you know, acknowledge that it’s tough for my opponent too. The conditions are very tough. You can see all players struggling on court, but everyone is trying their best. I’m trying my best and at every court change, I try to put the… sausage here… the ice sausage.”

“Ice sausage?” Amritraj asked, bemused. “The ice towel!” Paolini corrected, laughing. “It’s the first time someone has called it that—I’m going to call it that for the rest of the tournament.” It’s not just heat and ice towels that Paolini navigates well. She’s shown remarkable mental toughness in tiebreakers, having defeated Maria Sakkari 7–6, 7–6 in the previous round and taking today’s match 7–6, 6–1. When asked what goes through her mind in those clutch moments, she said simply, “I try to stay positive and focused on every point. Tiebreakers are tricky, but my mentality is to focus on what I have to do, stay positive, and not complain. Just stay focused.”

Off the court, Paolini revealed a more playful side. Asked whether she was a daredevil and if she had ever been to King’s Island, she admitted, “Never. Maybe this year.” Amritraj encouraged her to give it a try, noting she would have fun. "Yes,” Paolini laughed. “When I was younger, like 12 or 13, I loved rollercoasters. I tried again when I was 20, and it’s not the same. I think when you get older, you don’t enjoy them as much. But I think I’ll go between here and New York.”

And what about gelato, a subject where Paolini clearly considers herself an expert? “Not yet,” she said of the local ice cream, “but maybe after the tournament. It’s supposed to be another level, very good. Maybe after the tournament.”

Returning to tennis, Paolini looked ahead to her next match, a rematch with Barbora Krejcikova after their epic Wimbledon final last year. “It’s going to be a tough match. She’s playing well and is a very complete player. I have to try to serve well because on this fast court, the serve is key. I also need to make her earn her points. I’ll try my best. She’s a great player, so we’ll see. Hopefully, it’s going to be a good match.”

With a smile, Paolini summed up the post-match blend of seriousness and fun that makes her one of the tour’s most engaging players. Ice cream and rollercoasters, hot courts and tiebreakers—Paolini seems ready to tackle it all.