Jasmine Paolini reached two major finals in 2024, but couldn’t return to a championship match in 2025.
Making her breakthrough last year, Paolini finished as runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Looking to build on her impressive 2024 campaign, Paolini was unsuccessful, as she failed to reach the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams this year.
After winning 18 matches at major tournaments a year ago, Paolini won just eight in 2025, although the Italian star did win the doubles title at Roland Garros.
Weighing in with his thoughts on the 29-year-old’s season, Paolo Bertolucci has suggested why she may have struggled this year.
Paolo Bertolucci thinks Jasmine Paolini struggled under ‘excessive pressure’ in 2025
Writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, 1976 Davis Cup winner Bertolucci had this to say about Paolini’s 2025 campaign.
“The excessive pressure on her shoulders, feeling almost obligated to repeat the phenomenal Paris and Wimbledon finals she reached last year, combined with the change of coach, likely caused her to falter a bit and lack the consistency of results she’d displayed the previous year,” he said.
In March, Paolini split with long-time coach Renzo Furlan, before hiring Marc Lopez, Rafael Nadal’s former coach.
Their partnership was short-lived, however, as Paolini’s coaching situation remains uncertain.
Struggling with the uncertainty, the two-time Grand Slam finalist failed to make an impression at the four majors in 2025.
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2025 Australian Open – 1R | Sijia Wei | Win | 6-0, 6-4 |
| 2025 Australian Open – 2R | Renata Zarazua | Win | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2025 Australian Open – 3R | Elina Svitolina | Loss | 6-2, 4-6, 0-6 |
| 2025 French Open – 1R | Yue Yuan | Win | 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 2025 French Open – 2R | Ajla Tomljanovic | Win | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2025 French Open – 3R | Yulia Starodubtseva | Win | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2025 French Open – 4R | Elina Svitolina | Loss | 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 |
| 2025 Wimbledon – 1R | Anastasija Sevastova | Win | 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2025 Wimbledon – 2R | Kamilla Rakhimova | Loss | 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 |
| 2025 US Open – 1R | Destanee Aaiva | Win | 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2025 US Open – 2R | Iva Jovic | Win | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2025 US Open – 3R | Marketa Vondrousova | Loss | 6-7, 1-6 |
That’s not to say she didn’t enjoy success elsewhere, as Paolini won her home Italian Open and qualified for the final of the Cincinnati Open last month.
The good times didn’t stop there, with Paolini enjoying another impressive week representing her country at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Jasmine Paolini proved she is a ‘world-class player’ at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals
For the second year in a row, Paolini and Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Bertolucci was impressed with Paolini’s efforts in Shenzhen, China, as the world number eight led her nation to another title.
“It’s a great feeling for Jasmine Paolini,” he said.
“She once again demonstrated that she’s a world-class player in every respect, thanks to the calm she inspires her teammates and the guaranteed results she brings.”
Paolini won all four matches she played at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, in singles and doubles.
- QF (Italy vs China) – Jasmine Paolini defeated Wang Xinyu, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
- SF (Italy vs Ukraine) – Jasmine Paolini defeated Elina Svitolina, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
- SF (Italy vs Ukraine) – Jasmine Paolini/Sara Errani defeated Marta Kostyuk, Lyudmyla Kichenok, 6-2, 6-3
- F (Italy vs USA) – Jasmine Paolini defeated Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 6-2
Paolini’s three-set win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals was crucial, as a defeat would have seen Italy exit the competition.
Having previously lost to Svitolina twice at Grand Slams this year, Paolini refused to be beaten, battling back to keep Italy’s title-defence alive.
She then proceeded to beat her fellow top-ten star Jessica Pegula in the final, clinching the title for her country with a straight-sets win.
Following such a positive week, Paolini will now head over to Beijing for the 2025 China Open WTA 1000 event.
Seeded sixth, Paolini will play either Anastasija Sevastova or Kimberly Birrell in the second round later this week.
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