Jasmine Paolini reveals the secret of'Italy. And dismisses comparisons to Jannik Sinner
After her one-two finish in Billie Jean King Cup, Jasmine Paolini indulged in a lengthy interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’: “It is an incredible feeling. It was a really tough match. We are very happy and proud of ourselves and our team. It is a great day for Italy”.
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Even so, the Azzurre took a risk both in the quarters with China and in the semifinals with Ukraine: “There are many things to consider: you arrive in China after the United States, the courts are different and at the beginning I struggled to adapt to the conditions. But in the comebacks in the quarters and semifinals we put a lot of heart into it”.
In the final, on the other hand, there was no history with the United States: “Honestly, the way it matured, the result is a bit unexpected. Anyway I think it was a very complicated challenge, they are really a very strong team, but we did an incredible job. And I have to thank Elisabetta Cocciaretto: going into the match with a 1-0 lead certainly helped me to play with more calm”.
The Tuscan had lost all previous matches to Jessica Pegula: “She is an opponent who has always bothered me, because she plays flat and does not give me references. But her last match was from the end of 2023, and things have changed since then, and I am definitely more aware of my level. It was a very hard week, at first I didn’t feel very good on the court. Match after match, however, I felt better. This time I was feeling great, I tried to focus on myself, and I really hoped not to have to play doubles after…”.
In Shenzhen Paolini showed that she is a true leader, on par with Jannik Sinner for the men’s national team: “Eh, maybe. He remains inimitable. Now we hope that like last year the boys will give us the satisfaction of another double. That would be wonderful”.
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He then revealed the secret of success: “The strong bond between us. We all started out together in a long-term project, and most importantly, we also hang out outside the event, our teams exchange views. And we all always say yes to convocations: this is how we cement a great unity of purpose”.
“We are all important and it is great to show how we fight on the field. I think playing for the national team is something I have always dreamed of, watching the others. I hope many girls start playing tennis, to be an inspiration” concluded Paolini.
