Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini is aiming to become the first Italian woman to claim a Grand Slam singles title since Flavia Pennetta’s historic victory. Paolini’s journey has been impressive, having reached two Grand Slam finals last year and achieving a career-high ranking of world number four.
In 2025, she has managed to maintain her status in the top 10, bolstered by her victory at the Italian Open and a strong performance in reaching the final of the Cincinnati Open. Despite her successes in other tournaments, Paolini has faced challenges at the Grand Slams this year, and eyes seem to turn toward Pennetta, the 2015 US Open champion, to weigh in on Paolini’s potential.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pennetta expressed her confidence in Paolini’s abilities, stating she does not believe the rising star lacks anything essential for Grand Slam success. “Nothing, I don’t think she’s really lacking anything,” Pennetta remarked. “She has a very broad quality of play and really many alternative plans when maybe she’s having an off day compared to other players.”
She highlighted Paolini’s impressive speed and movement on the court, suggesting those attributes position her well for future victories. Although Paolini reached her best results at major tournaments last season, she has not progressed past the fourth round of a Grand Slam event in 2025, with her recent results indicating a need for greater consistency.
While Pennetta recognizes similarities between their careers, acknowledging that both players peaked later in life, she also points out the significant evolutionary changes in tennis since her retirement. “There have been so many changes, evolutions in the sport, especially in terms of the equipment itself,” she noted.
Paolini’s current ambition is to qualify for the WTA Finals, and after a strong showing in the Wuhan Open semifinals, she is well-positioned to achieve qualification in both singles and doubles. The potential of Jasmine Paolini continues to shine brightly, with hopes of breaking through to Grand Slam glory resonating among fans and tennis enthusiasts alike.