INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 7, 2024

Jasmine Paolini

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Jasmine, talk about being here in Rome as the top-ranked Italian.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Is special. Is the home tournament. Yeah, I'll really looking forward to play. It's going to be fun with the fans. Yeah, I'm going to just try to enjoy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Since Dubai, I'm curious how you would assess your ability to kind of handle the rise in the rankings, the seeding, the pressure, things like that. Do you think you've handled it well? Not well? What do you think?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I thinking to try to enjoy everything. It's a little bit different. I have a little bit maybe more attentions on myself.

But I'm trying to enjoy, to live the present, to enjoy the moment because it's nice to be in this position. It's also nice to play great matches against top players.

Yeah, I would say the key words now for me is to 'enjoy the moment', yeah (smiling).

Q. I was wondering how different does it feel to be on court, even in practice, these days now compared to maybe a year ago?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, it's a little bit different. I mean, I'm the same person. It's kind of weird because I came here as a top-seed player, which is different for me. I have more attention from Italian fans, I think. Even because tennis is growing so fast in Italy because of Jannik, because of all the guys who are doing well, it's a little bit different.

But it's nice. It's nice to have some more attention on tennis. I'm really enjoying.

Q. Women's tennis has such a long tradition in Italy. Have you heard from Francesca or Flavia? What advice or what inspiration have you drawn from players like that?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Of course, I'm drawing inspiration. I have by my side almost every day because we play doubles so long, Sara. I'm asking her advices, questions. She's been a top player, 5 in the world. I think she can give me some good advices.

I just saw Flavia Pennetta here before. It's nice to have those players around. We were watching them when they were winning Fed Cup, slams. So it's nice, yeah.

Q. You're one of the players that has the ability to hit a very good topspin forehand. On the women's tour, there's some players who hit topspin, some players that hit very flat. What was the key for you to kind of have that game style? What are the things that are great about it, being able to play spin? What are the things you look at and wish you could just bang the ball?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Usually I want to hit more flat, but my coach says to me always to try to play more topspin because it's good to have a variation on your game.

Yeah, I think it's something different because in female tennis you see like more flat shots. It's not easy also because you need maybe a little bit more time. But I try to mix it up a little bit. I think it's good to change a little bit the variation, the speed of the ball.

Yeah, my coach, I think he wish I would play more topspin (smiling).

Q. You are one of the shorter players on tour.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah (smiling).

Q. In terms of getting yourself to have a game style and being able to compete with six-feet-tall players who hit big, what has been the biggest adjustment for you over the years to be able to post a good result and to really challenge kind of the bigger players?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think one of the keys is to serve well, to serve better. If you serve bad, you are already in a bad position on the point. That I think was one of the key. Also to play deep in the court.

Yeah, but I didn't honestly do too many adjustment. I mean, I play as I enjoy to play. I think so. But of course I try to improve the serve. I try to play deeper. I try to use more spin, as I said.

It's kind of every day trying to add something new on your game, yeah.

Q. Do you have a favorite gelato flavor and a favorite pasta shape?

JASMINE PAOLINI: My favorite gelato flavor is fragola, it's strawberry, and cioccolato, it's chocolate. Pasta? Maybe pasta le vongole, with clams. Yeah, I really enjoy. I'm Italian, so I'm enjoying food (smiling).