US OPEN

August 31, 2024

Jasmine Paolini

Press Conference

J. PAOLINI/Y. Putintseva

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Jasmine, your thoughts on the match.

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think I played a really good match. She's a really tough player. She's playing good this year, so it's tough to play her.

She defends very well, but I think I played a really solid match. I was trying to control every point, but also to be calm, to build the point with calm and maybe play one more shot each time, don't rush during the point.

I think I did a great job.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You next play Muchova, and she was just in here and said she's a fan of yours.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Me too. I'm a fan of her. She's playing unbelievable. I really love how she plays. She can play every shot, every shot, slice, volleys, serve and volleys. She's a very complete player, I think, very tough opponent.

I hope we can play a really, really good match.

Q. What do you think are the similarities and differences between you?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think she's serving better than me. She's taller, so easier for her. But, I don't know, I think she has a little bit different game of me because I think she has more variety. Like she slice, serve and volley. Me a little bit less. I cannot slice that much as her.

But, you know, I don't know what to expect. I think I play last time here against her in the qualifying in second round I think in 2018, '19. I don't know. So a long time ago.

I have still to speak with my coach about the match. Yeah, we'll see.

Q. Talking about your game this year, I just wonder, are there any shots or elements of your game that you are executing better than ever?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think I can serve better. Also, the return, I think I improve that a little bit. The forehand when I defend as well. I think a lot of parts of the game.

I think also confidence helps a lot. So when you have more matches on your belt, you play better. You feel better the ball, you play deeper maybe as well.

A lot of things, you know, that came together. But also volleys I think are getting better from doubles. A lot of things.

Q. Talking about confidence, how does the confidence translate on the court for you? Does it make you see the ball better? Does it help you make better decisions? Does it make you feel more positive when things maybe aren't going your way? How does the confidence help you?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think everything you said. You see better the game. You take maybe better choices when you are under pressure. Not always, of course, but I think so.

And I think you play, as I said before, deeper in the court maybe. So a lot of things, but yeah, more or less are this.

Q. You talked a lot about not wanting to be compared to other players and writing your own story. What does your story look like over the next, say, couple of months or even years?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, you know, I'm trying to, as I said, to focus on my story. This year has been amazing. I played a lot of first-time things. First time I won two matches in a slam. Now I made second week in every slam.

It's something that's crazy if they told me at the beginning of the year before the Australian Open, that I don't know what I was thinking.

It's a really good moment for me. I hope to, as I say, always to keep this level as much as possible. I'm really having fun playing at this level. I really enjoy.

This is I think what I was dreaming of to play at this level with this consistency in these kind of tournaments, stadiums with a lot of people. It's really nice to be in this position.

Q. What do you think it will take for you to keep that level that you speak of in the next weeks and even for the next few years?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think we have to work to try to improve always, you know, in the little things that can be better. We can improve serve more. I think we can improve return.

We try to improve every day something, you know, because if you stay I think at the same level, you will go back. You have to try towards something always at your game. You have to be smart to understand the game, to understand the opponent.

I think you have also try to be in a good mood every time because it's not easy. Every tournament is different. You may be, like, more tired sometimes.

So it's not easy, but I think you have to be always with the mindset with low expectations, but try to do things well and to try to give your 100% every day.