Follow us on Google Discover Jasmine Paolini is gearing up for the WTA Finals, which get underway next month to round off the 2025 calendar in women’s tennis.
Paolini was delighted to squeeze into the WTA Finals after needing a positive Asian swing to try and push herself into contention.
The Italian player has enjoyed a strong second half of the year and reached the semifinals of the Wuhan Open and the Ningbo Open, whilst she made the quarters at the China Open.
It’s been claimed that Paolini might have an advantage at the WTA Finals this year, and indeed, her form could be a major player when it comes to the winner of the competition.
Paolini is currently number four in the WTA world rankings, and that is a drop, albeit a minor one, from this time last year when she sat in fourth place.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesJasmine Paolini shares what she’s found hard in 2025
It’s been a tricky 2025 for Paolini, who has failed to scale the same heights as she did in 2024, especially when it comes to the Grand Slam events.
She has failed to reach the quarterfinal of any of the four Grand Slam tournaments and exited before the second week in three of them.
However, her form in the WTA 1000 events has been excellent throughout the campaign, with a title being won in Rome and a final being reached in Cincinnati.
Paolini has admitted that she’s been finding it hard in 2025, not least because she has a new coach to get used to working with and she now concedes she’s back on her feet somewhat.
She told Sky: “I’m happy every time I step on the court. I feel good and I certainly enjoy certain moments, especially when I win.
“Last season was truly incredible, fantastic. It wasn’t easy to play as well as last year, but I think I managed it, perhaps with less consistency. I won in Rome, which is a dream for Italians.
“Being more consistent will be the key to staying at this level. I remember how difficult it was to break into the top 100. I was around 150, and I did it.
“First, I was unseeded in the Slams and then I got in. Every time is different.
“This year, it was hard to change coaches, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve grown a lot.
“The people closest to me think I have positive energy. I hope so. They think I’m always smiling, but honestly, that’s not always the case. I’m also a little crazy, the fans don’t know that. Maybe I should show my personality a little more, but for now, let’s keep it a secret.”
Paolini can use WTA Finals for momentum in 2026
The Italian is a brilliant player on her day and has proved in the past that she can mix it with the very best on the tour.
The challenge, as she mentions, is that she hasn’t always been the most consistent, and that is something that needs to change next year.
Paolini will be pretty gutted with how the Grand Slams went in 2025, but the fact she’s still made the end-of-year WTA Finals does represent a positive end to the year.
When it comes to the WTA 1000 events, however, she’s showcased brilliant form, and that could make her a very dangerous proposition when the tournament gets underway.