Sad News: Jasmine Paolini Has Refuse To Play With Italian Anymore Due To……………………..read more.
On the iconic red clay of Roland-Garros in August, Jasmine Paolini could barely contain her joy as she tossed her racket into the air, raised both fists, and embraced her doubles partner, Sara Errani. Moments earlier, the Italian pair had made history by defeating Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, securing Italy’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in tennis. “We were playing well, so I kept telling myself, ‘Maybe we have a chance,’” Paolini shared with Forbes, a few weeks after the Paris Games. “But I was really hoping for this gold medal.”
Even Paolini couldn’t have foreseen this milestone moment, much less the remarkable year that has dramatically changed her life. In February, she claimed her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Tennis Championships, and since then, she has enjoyed a six-month period filled with remarkable achievements, including reaching the finals at both the French Open (in singles and doubles) and Wimbledon, along with her Olympic victory. Heading into next week’s U.S. Open, she ranks as the fifth-best player in the world, a remarkable feat considering she was just breaking into the top 100 three years ago.
Late bloomers like American Jessica Pegula are relatively uncommon in professional tennis, where many players contemplate retirement by their 30s. At 28, the once-underdog Paolini is now exploring new opportunities, particularly off the court. Her unexpected ascent has already led to several new brand partnerships in 2024, adding to a portfolio that includes long-term sponsors Asics and Yonex.
“If you win matches, you naturally gain more visibility,” she explains. “So it makes sense that sponsors are showing interest. I was a bit surprised, but I’m very happy and proud of it.”
However, Paolini still has a long way to go if she aims to compete with her peers among the highest earners in tennis. Coco Gauff, the top woman on this year’s earnings list and the third overall, made an estimated $27.1 million in the last 12 months before taxes and agent fees, with $7.1 million earned on the court and $20 million off it. In contrast, Paolini has won about $7 million in career prize money, with $4.3 million coming this year alone (not including the $196,000 Italy awards for Olympic gold). Even with her new sponsorship deals, Forbes estimates her off-court earnings are just beginning to approach $1 million annually.
These numbers could increase rapidly if marketers embrace Paolini’s infectious smile, sharp sense of humor, and fierce competitiveness, traits that have made her a fan favorite in tennis. “It’s never easy,” says Guillermo Aylon, Paolini’s manager at the Sweden-based agency WeSport. “But it’s definitely a positive development. Brands want to associate with Jasmine because of what she represents to the audience and the public.”