Jasmine Paolini, Roland Garros finalist, adding to Italian tennis glory

For those who haven’t watched much of her play tennis, it’s a joyful experience.

Paolini stands at just 163cm tall but launches herself into shots, her forehand especially explosive. She developed her game on clay – you can see it in her footwork, consistency, shape of shot and point construction – but has an aggressive mindset, always looking to create and go for the opening when chances arise.

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“Just from the vantage point I have in the commentary box, looking from the top of the stadium, I can’t see the work on the ball, the spin,” observed David Law on The Tennis Podcast. “But I can see the pace. And it was an equal pace with Rybakina through the air.”

Rybakina’s forehand has been measured as one of the biggest in the game.

Paolini is also energetic, buoyant and relentlessly positive on court – and the fans have responded.

After stunning Rybakina in the quarterfinals, Paolini explained that midway through last year she began playing with more consistency, and more belief she could match, and even beat, the game’s best.

Now, she has created the opportunity to become the fifth Italian Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era, and first at Roland Garros since Francesca Schiavone in 2010.

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“It seems something impossible, you know, but it’s true,” she laughed.

“It’s a long journey, I think. I started to play tennis when I was five, and I fell in love with the sport. I really like to play tennis. I feel good when I play.

“I was watching the other Italians make it in the finals, and also won Grand Slams, but imagining that can be myself was tough. Of course, I wished, but now it’s something crazy for me.”