Jasmine Paolini is living a dream when it comes to tennis this season. Paolini started this season as World No.30. However, today, the Italian star is all set to play her first WTA Finals as the World No.4. She not only made her mark in the singles by claiming the runner-up position at both the French Open and Wimbledon, but also in the doubles at the former. Paolini with her double partner Sara Errani claimed her first Olympics Gold. However, everything comes at a cost. How would Paolini manage the singles and doubles challenge at the WTA Finals? Errani knows a thing or two about this!

Jasmine Paolini has started her WTA Finals campaign with a bang. She defeated Elena Rybakina in her first group match in straight sets and will play doubles today. However, it would not be an easy feat to get past the group stage. Errani, who has tasted the same battle over a decade ago, shared the struggle of managing double commitment.

During an interview with Ubi Tennis on November 2nd, 2024, Errani discussed her goal at the tournament. The Italian doubles star gave a humble reply as she said, “No, no goal. We try to win every match we play, knowing that they are all difficult matches, especially with the single point and the super tie-break.” This was not all. Errani took a moment to narrate the massive challenge awaiting Paolini as she plays in both singles and doubles.

She said, “Then, for Jasmine, it will be difficult to manage the double commitment.” It wasn’t just a hearsay statement from Errani; she spoke from experience. Jasmine Paolini will be making her debut at the WTA Finals, while Sara Errani is a familiar face, having participated in the doubles event from 2012 to 2014 and qualifying for singles in 2012 and 2013. She said, “I remember when I had to do it, after the six matches of the group. I was alone in the semifinal in the doubles and I was destroyed, very tired.”

Moreover, this is not just about the matches at the WTA Finals. By the end of the year, after participating in both categories, Jasmine Paolini would have built up exhaustion from the matches played throughout the season. Could Paolini’s enthusiasm provide the much-needed boost, as she celebrates the coming of age in tennis?

Jasmine Paolini meteoric rise in tennis proves “age is just a number” as she earns Billie Jean King’s approval

After claiming her debut win over Rybakina at the WTA Finals, the 28-year-old Jasmine Paolini achieved another milestone this season: her 40th win. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise for the fans, as Paolini has been going strong since the beginning of the year. Moreover, what’s more astounding for the fans is the fact that Paolini broke into the tennis scene when most of the players started contemplating retirement. Certainly, she has aged like a fine wine over the years.

This season, Paolini claimed the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships title and made it to the finals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon. However, her doubles campaign this season was more decorated than the singles. She won the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, Italian Open, China Open, and the Olympics. This is not all; she also made it to the finals of Roland Garros. Naturally, her performance this season drew praise from the legend, Billie Jean King herself.

While expressing excitement over Paolini discovering her game, King praised her tennis skills: “She is an amazing player. I am really happy that in these last months, she has been able to finally express all her talent, completing her tennis maturation.” While some could think that Paolini is a bit late in discovering her tennis prowess, according to King, she is on her own time.

“The truth is that everyone has their own time, some players reach the peak of their game when they are young, while others probably just need a little more time to understand, to learn, to grow in all aspects, and then to put it all together.”– remarked the tennis legend. Certainly, she had a terrific year, which is yielding her more than medals.

Per Forbes, Paolini’s career earnings of approximately $7 million have seen a significant boost this year, with $4.3 million added to her total. This impressive figure excludes the $196,000 awarded by Italy for her Olympic gold medal. Jasmine Paolini is destined to climb up in the coming season. But could her energetic smiles and enthusiasm provide her the “extra” power needed to conquer both the singles and doubles at the WTA Finals? Only time will tell!