The futuristic yet uncomfortable structure, the cones of shadow caused by the rigid roof covering distract the players during the matches, of the Caja Màgica (literally the magic box) represents for the best tennis players a fundamental stage of approach on the road that leads to the Roland Garros. In 2023 Jasmine Paolini she participated in the WTA 1000 in Madrid as number 68 in the world rankings, going out on her debut at the hands of the Polish Magdalena Frech. Twelve months later, the 28-year-old from Baths of Lucca he returns to those red clay courts with his 13th place best ranking, with the conviction of continuing the path that is establishing her as one of the world’s leading racket players. In a circuit dominated by powerful opponents, with her 163 centimeters, Renzo Furlan’s student resembles a “pink Gronchi”. Her aggressive play, regardless of the surface, is accompanied by a combination of courage and smile. Dazzling at all latitudes: whether it is the theater or the central one in Dubai, where Jasmine won the first 1000 of her career a couple of months ago, or the Tc Mirafiume in Bagni di Lucca, the first club of the spa champion, it makes no difference .
«The afternoon after school I couldn’t wait to set foot on the pitch with my friends – Paolini reveals directly from Spain –. A family environment that gave me lightheartedness. I carry within me many beautiful memories linked to childhood, to the relationship with maestro Ivano Pieri and to the first tournaments won. In my mind the dream of becoming a professional took shape with the move to the federal center of Tirrenia.”
To arrive at a golden present, Italy’s number one occupies eighth position in the Race valid to qualify for the Masters at the end of the year, Jasmine Paolini had to climb a lot of mountains.
First of all, the ranking powered by a mechanism that is brutal in its simplicity: the more games you win, the higher you go. Bearing in mind, however, that those “changes” of points will have to be defended the following year to avoid returning to the starting place. «When you start from the ITF with prize money of 10 thousand dollars, you enjoy the panorama achieved in these seasons more – admits Jasmine -. After some defeats suffered in those tournaments, one could become discouraged and then the disappointment faded. The patience, the help of the staff and the support of my family were fundamental.”
A sporting maturity that blossomed, as happened to other colleagues, not at a tender age but precisely for this reason experienced enthusiastically game after game. «Everyone has their own times – analyzes Jasmine -. Collins, for example, won his WTA 1000 in Miami at the age of 31. Age is not a limit if you want to grow every day: the great champions teach it. I have reached these levels thanks to work and experience. What do I envy other players? I’d say a few centimeters taller (laughs, ed) who could help me on serve, but I’m happy with the player I’ve become. If I had been taller, I would have found it more difficult to move on the pitch.”
In addition to Renzo Furlan, her full-time coach since 2020 but who has known her since 2015, another fundamental figure for Jasmine is Tathiana Garbin, the first to call her up in the then Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup). «Tathiana has always put her trust in me – admits the spa tennis player -. With her work he created the best national team of the last ten years, reaching the final in 2023. That ride instilled in the group a majority awareness of our means. The captain always gives us great strength of spirit. Fortunately, tennis is one of the most equal sports, in terms of prize money, between the men’s and women’s sectors. There is an underlying problem, if it can be defined as such: the victory in the Davis Cup caused more of a stir than the four successes in the Billie Jean King Cup obtained by the nucleus of the various Schiavone, Pennetta, Vinci and Errani (Jasmine’s doubles partner ed.). If all this has the effect of bringing attention to tennis to very high levels in Italy, so be it.”
Paolini represents the best face of the blue racket together with Jannik Sinner. Both are examples of constancy and self-sacrifice taken as models by the younger generations.
«I met with him right at the end of training – declares Jasmine, expected in the second round in Madrid by the winner of Zhu-Jimenez -. We have a good relationship. I am happy with the results he is achieving: I admire him both for how he plays, Furlan invites me to understand his movements, and for his behavior on every occasion.” Madrid, Rome and the Paris Olympics, this time to be experienced with the public after the behind closed doors experience of Tokyo 2020, are the next three objectives targeted. «The Spanish red clay presents different conditions from that of Paris – comments the world number 13 -. Rome, then, means home for every Italian”.
Tags: excellent relationship Sinner understand secrets Tirreno
