‘Now I Dream of Paris 2024’: Tennis Player Jasmine Paolini on Her Fairytale Season

Do you like fashion?

I do like fashion, and actually, I have to take advantage of it to go shopping after Wimbledon [laughs].

What’s your favorite piece of clothing? And what accessory is always in your suitcase?

I really like skirts, and the accessory that is never missing from my suitcase is a nice bag.

How important is your aesthetic side to you? Do you have a beauty routine?

Yes, I have a beauty routine that I try to follow every day, especially because we tennis players are exposed to the sun for many months of the year. So, I think it’s important to take care of my skin.

Let’s talk about leisure time. What do you do when you’re not training?

Nothing in particular, I’m just a very normal girl. I like hanging out with my friends, watching TV series, reading a book, going out for dinner. In short, doing normal things. I don’t have something specific that I enjoy; I’m quite basic in that regard.

What is your relationship with social media and your public persona?

I consider myself a private person: on social media, I try to share more of my athletic side than my personal life off the court. Occasionally, I do post something personal, but it depends on how I feel.

May I ask if you have a romantic relationship that is giving you additional energy on the court? How much can love help—or, conversely, distract—a professional tennis player who always needs to maintain high concentration?

I’m currently not in a romantic relationship. But I think a healthy relationship can only be beneficial.

What do the Olympics mean to you?

A lot. I still remember when my father used to show me athletics on TV when I was a child; that’s the first image that comes to mind when I think of the Olympics. When I attended the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony in 2021, it was a very emotional moment—a dream come true. The athlete on TV was me.

This story was translated from the original Italian.