Italy’s Jasmine Paolini’s trademark smile is contagious. All the more so, after winning a thrillingly close three-set semi-final against Donna Vekic, 2-6, 4-6, 7-6 (10/8).
After missing two match points, she was 8-7 down in a final decider tiebreak, before regaining her form and winning, making Italian history along the way.
It was a valiant fight.
The match could have easily slipped away, as both players were on top form.
At 5-foot-4, Paolini was not intimidated by Vekic’s 5-foot-10 presence, particularly in the second set, when she started reading Vekic’s game, firing off blasting forehands and serves to Vekic.
World No 7 Paolini became a trailblazer as the first Italian woman in history to reach a Wimbledon final.
In addition, she now shares a record with one of the greatest players of our time – Serena Williams.
In progressing to the Wimbledon Ladies’ finals, Paolini became the first player to make back-to-back Grand Slam finals in the same year since Serena did it in 2016.
She also played the longest Wimbledon Ladies’ singles semi-final in Wimbledon history.
When asked at the post-match press conference about how she felt about following in the footsteps of the golden generation of female tennis players (the Pennettas, Erranis, Vincis, Schiavones), she said that she was inspired by them, “but I don’t want to compare too much because I’m writing my own story, my own career”.
Jasmine Paolini’s playing style is endearing.
She wears her heart on her sleeve, smiles, interacts with the crowd, and in doing so, has won the hearts of both Italian and Wimbledon fans.
She has humanised tennis with her exuberant personality.
At her post-match press conference, she was asked about her charming interaction with the crowd, and whether she’d always played like this: “I would always be like that. Now, I’m really enjoying playing in the big stadium. I feel grateful to the crowd that is watching me. Yeah, I’m just enjoying. I love to play in these kind of courts. It feels more special. Also, to play important matches, it’s so special. I’m so grateful that also the crowd was cheering for me. Yeah, it’s a great feeling I think for a tennis player”.
Before last month, Paolini had never won a match on grass. At Eastbourne (a grass court pre-Wimbledon warm-up tournament), she reached the semi-finals. Asked if she thought grass was now her best surface, Paolini replied: “I don’t know. I think I can hit the ball really, really strong. But also moving for me, is also important. Today I’m trying to ask to my coach (smiling). I think he would say yes. I can play good because I can hit the ball strong.”
When asked what she would say to someone if they’d said a year ago that she would make both Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals, she laughed, saying: “I think even two months ago (laughter) I would say ‘you are crazy’. Yeah, I don’t have words. Just, yeah, you are crazy I would say (laughter)’”.
Jasmine Paolini went on to lose the Wimbledon final against world No 32 Barbora Krejcikova on Saturday, 13 July.
Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon
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