Jasmine Paolini is one of the brightest sparks on the WTA, and across the last 12 months has added consistent quality to her sparkling personality.
Having reached two Grand Slam finals and even won a couple of Masters 1000 events too, her ranking around the apex of women’s tennis is more than justified.
She marks one of many Italian talents who are taking over the sport, alongside Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti on the men’s side.
However, the former has come under fire of late following what has been a truly torrid past eight months.
Accused of doping and subsequently banned after a settlement was reached, this controversy has cast a dark cloud over tennis that shows no signs of letting up.
Jasmine Paolini speaks about doping in tennis
Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference for the French Open, once again the topic of doping reared its ugly head.
But, given the notoriety of Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban from tennis, and Iga Swiatek’s just months earlier, it’s impossible to ignore.
Especially given Paolini’s relationship with her fellow Italian, she was asked to comment on whether these punishments have added paranoia to her life.
Her answer was simple: ‘Yes [there is paranoia about doping]. I think I was paying attention to it also a lot before but now you feel like you are more vulnerable because after those cases you see that, I don’t know, it’s more real somehow.
‘I don’t know what to say. It’s scary a little bit. We have to control many things and we try to do our best but at the same time, as I said in Rome, it’s good that WADA is changing their rules. It would’ve been better if it was a little bit before 2027 but that’s a step forward.
‘That’s good for all of us because it can happen to all of us. We are always travelling and it’s not easy to control everything. We are doing our best. Hopefully, it won’t happen anymore to anybody.’
Jasmine Paolini will be a big favourite for the French Open title
Regardless of that, Paolini will be wanting her full focus to be on the French Open this week.
After all, she is one of a handful of women who have a really strong chance to claim the title.
Iga Świątek is returning to Roland Garros bereft of confidence on clay, whilst Coco Gauff has impressed but possesses some outstanding issues which could be exploited.
Aryna Sabalenka is a threat on any surface but her huge power should be somewhat dulled by the conditions in Paris, and Mirra Andreeva has all the talent but perhaps a little inexperience at this stage.
Paolini, meanwhile, was last year’s finalist and will come into the tournament in perfect form having just won the Italian Open.
She should be considered a huge favourite to lift the trophy in two weeks’ time.
