Jasmine Paolini is becoming the new Ons Jabeur
By Lee Vowell
Ons Jabeur is one of the most beloved players on the WTA tour. She is a rather limited player who gets the best out of her abilities and never stops trying to compete. Tennis fans love her for it and they should. The Tunisian has never taken her tennis life for granted and understands how lucky she is to have it.
Off the court, however, Jabeur appears to be a kind and thoughtful person who gets along with her fellow players. They seem to hold her in as high of regard as the fans do. This is true even though she is trying to defeat them on the court. This shows what a good person she is.
She also did not find high-level success until she was 27. That is when she made her first Grand Slam final at 2022 Wimbledon. She has since made two other major finals, but unfortunately, she has lost every single one. This is true even though in the 2023 Wimbledon final she was probably a heavy favorite.
Jasmine Paolini might be the new Ons Jabeur and that is just fine
Jasmine Paolini is becoming just like Ons Jabeur. The Italian is 28 years old now and prior to 2024 has not had good success in Grand Slams nor did she have a high ranking on the WTA tour. This year, though, she managed to get to the final at the French Open and Wimbledon - the first woman to do so since Serena Williams. Unfortunately, Paolini lost both finals.
Paolini also doesn't have a dominant game. She hits with power but her mostly larger opponents hit with more and try to keep her playing near the baseline instead of the Italian moving all around the court where she can use her speed. Still, like Jabeur, she has found ways to win at an advanced age for a tennis player.
Next. Taylor Fritz takes classy way out. Taylor Fritz takes classy way out. dark
The Italian has a quick smile and a spunky personality and tennis fans seem to adore her. Her fellow players appear to have great respect for her off the court as well, just like Jabeur.
Let's hope, though, that one day soon instead of coming close to winning a major title, Jabeur or Paolini actually take home a trophy. That would definitely be a cause for celebration.
More tennis news and analysis:
manual