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Pennetta gives her verdict on Jasmine Paolini’s Grand Slam chances after strong season

Originally posted on HITC | By Matthew Johns | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 1:45 PM ET

Jasmine Paolini is looking to become the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Flavia Pennetta.

Paolini broke through with two major final appearances last year, finishing the season ranked as high as world number four.

She’s managed to stay in the top 10 this season too, winning the Italian Open and reaching the Cincinnati Open final along the way.

But her Grand Slam form has dipped this year, leading Pennetta to share her thoughts on whether Paolini can take that next step.

Flavia Pennetta shares her view on Jasmine Paolini’s Grand Slam chances

Paolini recently helped Italy defend their Billie Jean King Cup title and remains the country’s top-ranked player on the WTA Tour by a considerable margin.

That’s led many to see her as Italy’s best chance at another Grand Slam women’s singles title, a path Pennetta herself knows very well.

Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images for Billie Jean King Cup

When asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport if she felt anything was holding Paolini back from winning a major, Pennetta shared why she thinks the answer is no.

Pennetta doesn’t believe there are any clear weaknesses stopping Paolini from winning at the highest level. “Nothing, I don’t think she’s really lacking anything,” Pennetta said. “She has a very, very broad quality of play and she really has many alternative plans when maybe she’s having an off day compared to other players who are just one-track minded.

“Let’s say she has a speed in her shots, in her movement, her feet go at 2000 so I really don’t think she’s lacking anything to be able to win a Grand Slam event.”

The Italian reached new career highs across all four major tournaments last season but hasn’t gone past the fourth round of any Slam in 2025.

Flavia Pennetta gives her view on whether Jasmine Paolini is similar to her

Pennetta, like Paolini, found her best form later in her career, claiming her lone Grand Slam title at the age of 33.

However, Pennetta pointed out that the game has changed a lot since she hung up her racket in 2025, making direct comparisons difficult.

“Well, she also plays pretty straight,” said Pennetta. “Yes, she maybe spins the ball a little more and her ball actually moves faster than mine, but I think it’s simply a bit of a change, right?

“There have been so many changes and evolutions in sport. The equipment itself – so the rackets and strings are very different now. This means that tennis has become an even faster sport.”

Pennetta captured her US Open title in what was her final major tournament appearance. Paolini will be looking to follow that path at some point soon.

Right now though the goal for Paolini is reaching the WTA Finals. After making it through to the semi-finals of Wuhan Open this season she is now looking well-placed to qualify for both singles and doubles at year’s end.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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