Jasmine Paolini still on the hunt for ‘legendary selfie’ with Rafael Nadal in Malaga

Jasmine Paolini has picked up many mementos from her breakthrough 2024 season: two Grand Slam runner-up plates, an Olympic gold medal in doubles, and a Top 5 WTA ranking. But there's one souvenir she's still hunting that might be the most conveted prize of all: a selfie with Rafael Nadal.

Paolini revealed this summer that she had two goals for the Paris Olympics: win a medal, and snag a photo with the all-time great to complete her set of selfies with the Big 3, having taken photos with both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at previous Olympics. While she and doubles partner Sara Errani achieved the first goal by topping the podium, Paolini fell short of snapping a picture with Nadal in Paris, joking that she chickened out of asking the 22-time Grand Slam winner for the photo when she passed him on the grounds.

But the world No. 4 is getting a second chance this week in Malaga, the site of the first-ever combined Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup Finals. At the Martin Carpena Arena, Paolini is leading the Italian Billie Jean King Cup team in its pursuit of a fifth all-time title, while Nadal will compete alongside Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of the Spanish team in what will be his final career tournament.

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Against Japan, playing without Naomi Osaka, in Thursday's quarterfinals, Paolini steered the Italians to a 2-1 comeback victory thanks to a win against Moyuka Uchijima, before she and Errani clinched the tie in doubles.

The Italian's dogged determination was one of the highlights of her ascent to stardom in 2024, and it's safe to say she's applying the same qualities towards completing her scrapbook. She rewarded herself for that effort with a front-row seat to one of Nadal's practices on her day off (Spain doesn't compete in its quarterfinal match until Tuesday) and finally snagged her precious photo.

Well, sort of.

See the photos: Rafael Nadal arrives in Malaga for final career event at Davis Cup Finals

"Step by step, getting closer to that legendary selfie with Rafa… but not done yet!" Paolini wrote on Instagram as she snuck a snapshot from the entrance to the court where Nadal trained. The 22-time major champion can be seen in the background.

Will Paolini get her perfect shot? Only time will tell. But the next order of business for her and the Italian team is a date with world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and Poland in Monday's semifinals.