After her recent breakthrough run at the French Open, Jasmine Paolini returns to action on a surface she has a love-hate relationship with.
The Italian is currently at a ranking high of No.7 in the world following her run to the final in Roland Garros, where she was beaten in straight sets by Iga Swiatek. At the tournament, she scored a high-profile win over Elena Rybakina, as well as victories over Mirra Andreeva and former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. She also enjoyed success in the doubles alongside Sara Errani with the two reaching the final.
Paolini has proven she has what it takes to take on the best in the world but on grass, it is more problematic for her. She comes into this week’s Eastbourne International as the third seed but has yet to win a Tour-level match on the surface in her entire career.
“Grass court is interesting, that’s for sure,” Paolini told WTA Insider. “Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s worse. Sometimes I want to cry, sometimes I enjoy.”
“I remember some years I was almost crying every day, and if I wasn’t crying I was very sad. I have to accept that things are not easy here.”
Outside of the WTA Tour, Paolini does have four wins on the Grass with one of those being in the Grand Slams at Wimbledon. In 2017 she beat Eden Silva before losing to Jana Fett. On two other occasions, she has also taken a set off Petra Kvitova before losing in the first round. Her three other wins were in qualifying matches for Tour-level events.
“I try to come here with a free mind,” Paolini said.
“It’s not the same thing as the French Open, so I don’t expect anything. Good and bad things, I don’t expect anything. Just step on court and try to play my game, to adapt as best as possible, to fight for sure, and to understand better the gamebecause it’s not the same.”
“But every year I get more experience. So hopefully this year is going to be better, but I don’t want to put pressure because it’s already too much.”
Paolini, who won her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai earlier this year, will begin her Eastbourne campaign against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
