'My body needs a little time': Jasmine Paolini withdraws from Hopman Cup due to knee injury

World No. 5 Jasmine Paolini has announced her withdrawal from the Hopman Cup due to a knee injury, leaving a significant gap for Italy. The two-time Grand Slam finalist had a disappointing performance at Wimbledon, falling in the second round in both singles and doubles.

Paolini was slated as one of the big stars for this year's edition of the Hopman Cup, which will be held in Bari, Italy. The mixed-nation team tournament traditionally ran from 1989 but was interrupted between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic.

The tournament returned in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, with Croatia emerging as champions, represented by Donna Vekic and Borna Coric. After not being held in 2024, the tournament is set to return in just over a week, starting on July 16, with six invited teams.

One of the clear favorites was undoubtedly the home team, Italy, with Paolini being the only top-10 player (considering both men and women) slated to participate. However, she will ultimately not be able to play and will be replaced by her compatriot Lucia Bronzetti.

"I’m so sorry to tell you that this year I will not be able to be present in Bari for the Hopman Cup," Paolini revealed in a video shared on social media. "I need to recover from a knee injury and my body needs a little time, but I am happy at the same time to announce that my teammate Lucia Bronzetti, with whom we won the Billie Jean King Cup last year, will be playing with Flavio Cobolli."

"I am sure they will do their best and give it all to bring Italy to victory. I will support them from home and hope that all of you go to Fiera del Levante, it will definitely be a super positive tennis week, special, fantastic, so I hope you support them too. Forza azzurri and forza Italia!"

Despite Paolini's absence, the tournament will feature several big names, including former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, Paris 2024 silver medalist Donna Vekic, and some former top-10 players like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Richard Gasquet.