Jasmine Paolini calls it a ‘dream’ after reaching Wimbledon 2024 final with Vekic win
Jasmine Paolini called it ‘a dream’ as she reached the final of Wimbledon 2024 for the first time in her career on July 11, Thursday. Paolini had to comeback from a set down to secure the win in the end over Donna Vekic and head to the final on Saturday, July 13. With the win, the Italian became the first woman to make it to the French Open and Wimbledon finals in the same year after Serena Williams in 2016.
Speaking after the win, Paolini said the last few months have been crazy for her and she trying to focus on what she has to do on court. Paolini said the clash with Vekic was an intense one, and she will now focus on recovering.
“These last months have been crazy for me. I am trying to focus on what I have to do on court and I love playing tennis. It is amazing to be here and it is a dream,” Paolini, who reached the semi-finals in Eastbourne last month, said on court.
“I think it was an intense match and I tried to play my best and now it’s time to recover. I think I need an ice bath as my legs are a little bit tired.”
You are crazy
Paolini had never gone past the second round of a Grand Slam before her runs in the Australian Open, where she reached the fourth round, and the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon. When asked if she would have believed if someone said she would have been a two-time finalist in a year, Paolini had a simple answer and said she would have said the person was crazy.
“You are crazy, I would say, yes… I don’t have words. Just, yeah, you are crazy,” she told a press conference while laughing.
Paolini is emulating the likes of Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta and former world number five Sara Errani by playing in a major final, but is looking to carve her own path.
“Yeah, they are inspiring me so much. But I don’t want to compare too much because I’m writing my own story, my own career,” she said.
“But I remember the Grand Slam finals that they made. I think it’s really important for also the next generation having people that can do great things. They can show you that it’s possible. That’s really important.”
Paolini will face Babora Krejcikova in the final of the women’s singles on Saturday.
