Jasmine Paolini sounded confident that if she manages to maintain her game, she is destined for ‘great things’. However, her confidence took a slight hit after she lost to the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova in the final of Wimbledon. On Saturday, July 13, Paolini played out of her skin for an hour and 56 minutes before losing the match 2-6, 6-2, 4-6 on Centre Court.
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Despite the defeat, Paolini managed to climb up the rankings to No.5 in the world. Paolini also missed out on the chance of becoming the first Italian player, male or female, to win the grass-court major after becoming the first Italian woman to play in the SW19 final. Paolini said that she was disappointed after not being to finish on a high despite being on top of her game throughout.
‘I was close, but it wasn’t enough’
“Sometimes I’m a bit scared to dream too much… if I keep this level, I can have the chance to do great things,” Paolini said in the post-match press conference.
“Today it’s a bit tough to speak. But it’s been a really good two weeks. I have to accept today and try to work hard. I’m sure I’m going to do it. But today it’s tough. Because I was close, but it wasn’t enough,” Paolini said.
Paolini started the year by advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open. Thereafter, she punched above her weight to play in the French Open 2024 final where she lost to Iga Swiatek. Her dream of winning a major left unfulfilled after losing to Krejcikova.
“I don’t knowâæ I have to still realize that I made the final of Wimbledon. It’s an amazing thing. Of course now I’m a little bit disappointed. But as I said, it’s been an incredible year. I’m enjoying. I hope to continue like this. With this level of tennis, I’m going try to work and keep this focus and level. Just enjoying these kinds of results that I did,” Paolini added.
Paolini will now look to win a medal when she competes in the upcoming edition of the Olympics to be held in Paris from July 26.