Breaking News: Jasmine Paolini Has Been Appointed As New………………….read more.
Jasmine Paolini, the first Italian player in the Open Era to reach the Round of 16 in the first three Grand Slam Women’s Singles tournaments of a season, has roots in Ghana.
This year, the 28-year-old made history by advancing to the fourth round at Wimbledon, a tournament with a 147-year legacy.
Although Paolini’s journey ended with a loss to Barbora Krejcikova, she joins an elite group of women—Steffi Graf, Justine Henin, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams—who have reached the finals of both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.
Paolini’s diverse heritage adds to her unique appeal. After losing to Iga Swiatek in the French Open final, she said in a press conference, “I’m proud of my mixed heritage. I was born in Italy, but my mother is Polish, and my grandfather is from Ghana. I think my speed comes from my Ghanaian roots… I can speak Polish, and it’s something that adds to who I am. It’s a bonus.”
Earlier this year, in an interview with BNPParibasOpen.com, Paolini reflected on her heritage, saying, “Maybe my speed on the court comes from my Ghanaian side. From Poland, I get my determination, and from Italy, I bring passion and energy. I’m really proud of the mix.”
Paolini reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, secured her biggest career title in Dubai, and was the runner-up at Roland-Garros. These achievements have elevated her from outside the top 30 to a career-high ranking of No. 7 in the world. She is also the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach consecutive Grand Slam finals.
This year marked her first tour-level win on grass, culminating in a run to the Wimbledon final, including a historic semi-final victory over Donna Vekic in the longest women’s semi-final in Wimbledon history.
After the final, Paolini expressed her appreciation on social media, saying, “As a kid, I watched this incredible tournament on TV. Playing in the final here is a memory I’ll cherish forever. I didn’t win, but it’s still a great day. Thank you to everyone—my family, team, and sponsors—for their support.”
