From her initial steps on the WTA Tour between 2015 and 2017, Jasmine Paolini‘s tennis story has unfolded with increasing drama and delight. Imagine the surge of confidence as she captured her first significant title at the Dubai Championships in 2024, a milestone WTA 1000 victory that hinted at greater things to come. Then, picture the electric atmosphere of the 2025 Italian Open, where, at 29, she not only seized her second WTA 1000 crown but also celebrated her first singles and doubles triumph on the beloved clay. Certainly left Jennifer Capriati in awe of her prowess.
The Italian kicked off her Rome campaign with a bang, cruising past New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in straight sets. She then kept the momentum rolling by dispatching Ons Jabeur and Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, respectively. In the quarterfinals, Paolini staged a thrilling comeback against Russian Diana Shnaider after dropping the first set and falling behind 4-0 in the second. She didn’t stop there-she crushed American Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals and capped off her singles run by beating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in just one hour and 29 minutes to claim the title.
But Paolini wasn’t done yet. Teaming up with her doubles partner Sara Errani, the duo stormed to the finals and clinched the doubles crown by beating Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-5. This Roman Double feat drew praise from former WTA star Jennifer Capriati, who tweeted, “Breaking through at 28 with no prior results is that right? 2 slam finals, winning a master title on your home turf, in Italy as an Italian. That’s a tough task. Pretty cool. Late bloomer is an understatement! And winning the doubles as well? Wow.” Indeed, Paolini’s triumph was a remarkable turnaround after a rocky start to 2025.
Breaking through at 28 with no prior results is that right? 2 slam finals, winning a master title on your home turf, in Italy as an Italian. Thats a tough task. Pretty cool. Late bloomer is an understatement! And winning the doubles as well? Wow
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) May 18, 2025
Her season had started rough, with an early exit at the Australian Open after losing to Elina Svitolina in the third round. She also faced back-to-back losses in the Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, and Indian Wells, all ending in the Round of 16.
However, Paolini showed signs of life at the Miami Open, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. She repeated that semifinal run in Stuttgart but again lost to Sabalenka. A disappointing Madrid Open followed, where she couldn’t get past the Round of 32. Clearly, the Italian Open became her breakthrough event in 2025.
Her resilience and grit shone brightest on home soil, where she became the first Italian woman in 11 years to reach the Rome final- a feat last achieved by her doubles partner Sara Errani in 2014. With the home crowd behind her, she battled through tough matches and delivered a historic win, making her the first Italian to claim the Italian Open singles title in 40 years. How does she feel about this triumph?
Paolini just can’t comprehend her win at the Italian Open
Jasmine Paolini made history at the Italian Open, snapping a 40-year drought by becoming the first homegrown champion since Raffaella Reggi in 1985. The 29-year-old, fresh off a breakthrough season with finals appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon last year, thrilled the Foro Italico crowd with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win over Coco Gauff. It was a performance that left no doubt she fully earned the title.
After lifting the trophy, Paolini said, “It doesn’t seem real to me. I came here as a kid to see this tournament, but winning it and holding up this trophy wasn’t even in my dreams.” The fans showed their love with chants of “Ole, ole, ole, Jas-mine, Jas-mine” before the ceremony, and she returned the affection with a heart-shaped gesture.
Looking back at her singles performances, she reached the second round in 2020 and 2023, and the first round in 2019 and 2022. But this time, in the final, she came out firing, edging a tight first set before pulling away in the second, capitalizing on a string of Gauff’s errors. Her sharp play on home soil was undeniable. With this win, she’ll leap past Iga Swiatek to world No. 4 on Monday and snag a top-four seed at the French Open starting next Sunday, May 25.
Now the big question: can Jasmine Paolini ride this wave into Roland Garros and make another deep Grand Slam run? What’s your take- will she go all the way? Drop your thoughts below!
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