Italian · Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy · Born 4 October 1996Jasmine Paolini is an Italian professional tennis player who reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals in 2024 and helped Italy win the Billie Jean King Cup.
Jasmine Paolini was born on 4 January 1996 in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a village in Tuscany, Italy, to Ugo Paolini, who is Italian, and Jacqueline Gardiner, whose heritage spans Polish, Danish, and Ghanaian roots — her maternal grandmother is Polish and her maternal grandfather Ghanaian, and Paolini speaks some Polish herself, having been addressed in the language by her mother as a child. She turned professional in 2015. Standing just 1.63 metres tall, Paolini built her game around speed, consistency, and a relentlessly positive on-court demeanour that made her a fan favourite, winning her first WTA 1000 title at the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships after a maiden tour title back in 2021. Paolini's breakthrough 2024 season saw her reach the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon, becoming the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon final in the Open Era, and she climbed to a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4, equalling the mark set by compatriot Francesca Schiavone in 2011. She also won Olympic doubles gold at the Paris 2024 Games partnering Sara Errani. Paolini finally captured a maiden Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open, winning the women's doubles crown alongside Errani, and helped lead Italy to consecutive Billie Jean King Cup titles in both 2024 and 2025, cementing her status as one of the leading figures in a resurgent era for Italian women's tennis.
Italian Billie Jean King Cup champion and two-time Grand Slam finalist
In 2024 she became the first woman to reach the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in the same year since Steffi Graf in 1999.
Did You Know?How They Played
Paolini is known for her aggressive baseline game and powerful groundstrokes from both wings. She possesses excellent court coverage and defensive skills, often turning defense into attack with her ability to hit winners from difficult positions. Her compact frame allows her to generate impressive power and she displays strong mental toughness in challenging matches.
Career Honours
- 3 WTA singles titles
- two Grand Slam finals in 2024
- Billie Jean King Cup champion with Italy (2024, 2025)
Italian Athletes