Jasmine Paolini: “When I play on grass sometimes I feel like a terrible tennis player”

After reaching the final at Roland Garros 2024, defeated by world no. 1 Iga Swiatek, she returns to the field, for the first time this year on grass in Eastbourne, Jasmine Paolini: the Tuscan will play on Wednesday at the end of the program against the Belgian Elise Mertens. Jasmine gave a long interview to WTA Insider:

“I’m really happy to give a positive image of myself. I always smile, but I am like this, I’m not forcing it. I’m happy that people like this, but I’m not doing anything more than how I really am and that’s good. Honestly, I’ve felt a lot of love, even from my mother’s country, Poland. I’ve received a lot of support on Instagram, it’s nice to feel that people think well of me.”

“Playing on grass is interesting, that’s for sure. Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s worse. In some cases I want to cry, in others I enjoy it. I remember that in some years I cried almost every day and if I didn’t I was still very sad. I have to accept that things on this surface are not easy. Sometimes on grass you feel terrible at playing tennis. Serve well and receive a winning response. You answer well and get a winning answer from your opponent, then you think you’re really bad. Maybe you don’t play good rallies, you fight for every single point and only get winners against. It happened to me and it’s frustrating, because I think I don’t really understand what I have to do.”

“I try to come here with a clear mind. It won’t be the same as Roland Garros, so I don’t expect anything. For better or for worse I don’t expect anything. I just need to get on the pitch and try to play my game, adapt as best I can, fight and try to understand the game better, because it won’t be the same. Every year I gain more experience, so I hope this year goes better, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself, since it’s already too much.”