At Rome’s historic Foro Italico on Saturday, Jasmine Paolini electrified the crowd by ending a 40-year drought for home champions at the Italian Open.
The 29-year-old seized momentum early, securing a 6-4, 6-2 win over Coco Gauff to become the first Italian woman to lift the trophy since Raffaella Reggi in 1985—while Italy’s last man to win here was Adriano Panatta in 1976.
As Paolini celebrated her final-point ace, fans erupted, chanting “Ole, ole, ole, Jas-mine, Jas-mine,” and waving Italian flags. “It doesn’t seem real to me,” she said, holding the trophy aloft. “I came here as a kid to see this tournament, but winning it wasn’t even in my dreams.”
The win sets the stage for a possible historic sweep: top-ranked Jannik Sinner faces Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s men’s final, aiming to secure Italy’s first back-to-back singles titles at home.
Paolini also reached the women’s doubles final with partner Sara Errani, and they will challenge Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens on Sunday.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella joined a packed stadium to witness Paolini’s triumph, underscoring tennis’s booming popularity across the country.
With a runner-up finish at both the French Open and Wimbledon and a pivotal role in Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup win last year, Paolini will rise to world No.4 on Monday—boosting her seeding at next week’s French Open in Paris.
Italy’s tennis renaissance is in full swing, and Jasmine Paolini’s breakthrough victory may be just the beginning.
Reference(s):
Jasmine Paolini becomes first home Italian Open winner in 40 years
cgtn.com
