Jasmine Paolini: Fans Worried After Yet Another Setback—The Champion Responds

Her third consecutive withdrawal from a North American hard-court tournament has inevitably sparked concern among fans, which is one of the reasons Jasmine Paolini chose to speak out personally to clarify the situation. After Washington and Toronto, the Italian player explained on her social media channels that she will not even be competing in the Cincinnati Masters 1000, thus forfeiting the chance to defend the final she reached in 2025.

“We’ve decided (with the team of the champion from Bagni di Lucca, ed.) that I won’t be in Cincinnati either. After last year’s final, I was really looking forward to returning, but now the goal is to be 100% ready for the U.S. Open and the rest of the season. Thank you for your support,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

Jasmine Paolini’s message was direct, intended to reassure those who fear another long hiatus. The decision to take another break, on the other hand, doesn’t exactly come as a bolt from the blue: Paolini has been dealing with foot discomfort for months, an issue that has heavily impacted a 2026 season that has so far lacked highlights, marked by results below expectations and that injury which set her back right in the middle of the season.

Her withdrawal from Cincinnati will also have consequences for her ranking: without the chance to defend the 650 points from last year’s final, Jasmine faces a real risk of falling out of the Top 20 before the U.S. Open. However, this situation does not change her status: she will still be a seeded player in New York.