2024 WTA Player of the Year Countdown, No. 5: Jasmine Paolini

2024, by the Numbers

• 41-20: Overall win-loss record
• 18-4: Grand Slam win-loss record (AO 4R, RG runner-up, W runner-up, USO 4R)
• 1: Titles (Dubai)
• 2: Runner-ups (Roland Garros, Wimbledon)
• 4: Year-end ranking

The Story of the Season

As one-title seasons go, Jasmine Paolini’s 2024 was one of the best. Before this year she had never cracked the Top 25, but the 28-year-old finished fourth in the rankings. In her first 16 Grand Slam main-draw appearances, she had never advanced past the second round—but she reached the second week at all four majors this year. The Italian won her first WTA 1000 title, in Dubai, and she capped it all off with a Billie Jean King Cup.

Of course, a great one-title season almost always means there were numerous runner-up finishes: impressive runs, but heartbreaking defeats. Paolini had two of those, at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She was outclassed against clay savant Iga Swiatek in Paris, 6-2, 6-1, but let a massive opportunity slip against Barbora Krejcikova on Centre Court. After winning a marathon semifinal at SW19 against Donna Vekic, it appeared a redemptive breakthrough was in the cards, but the Czech had other plans for Paolini.

“I have still to, I think, realize that I did final in Wimbledon,” said Paolini after the three-set defeat. “It’s an amazing thing. Of course, now I’m a little bit disappointed.”

Paolini’s all-around game, endearing personality and vivacious spirit have made her one of the tour’s fan favorites—perhaps more so in defeat. She’ll earn even more supporters in victory, though, and can use her notable missteps in 2024 as valuable learning experiences.—Ed McGrogan

What's to Come in 2025?

As one of the players who improved the most in 2024, the pressure is growing on Paolini to deliver similarly strong results in the coming season. In order to continue to achieve success at this level, the 28-year-old must learn not to let her own expectations and those of others weigh too heavily on her. If she manages to continue facing all challenges with a smile in 2025 and see the glass as half full instead of half empty—as she says herself—her chances of achieving even greater success than this year are promising.

In that regard, her doubles partner Sara Errani can be of particular help. Paolini has already learned a lot from her compatriot, nine years her elder, in the past—and not about just how to play doubles. Errani openly shares her experience and love of tennis with Paolini, which benefits the world No. 4 in both the singles and doubles competitions.

Paolini is one of those players for whom the combination of singles and doubles is good and doesn't tire her out. However, to maintain her lofty position in the singles rankings or even climb even higher, Paolini must improve her performance in smaller tournaments and prepare better both tactically and mentally for matches against Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.

She should have recognized this over the course of the year: She is currently one of the best players in the world, so she doesn't need to shy away from the big names.—Franziska Bruells