After the unfortunate Finals in Riyadh the Italian doesn’t want to stop: “You can do better even if it’s difficult. Coaching? With Jas I take care of the tactics, but I’m not ready to develop someone from scratch”
“A truly extraordinary year, all that was missing was the icing on the cake, but we continue to dream”, Sara Errani says with smiling eyes. Forget about the melancholy, inexorable end of your career. Errani is experiencing one of her best moments in doubles with Jasmine Paolini: from the Olympic gold in Paris to two consecutive participations in the WTA Finals. He played his last career singles match in Paris, a moment of transition. Because together with Jasmine he continued to win: four titles in the season, the 1000 in China, in Qatar and above all Rome and Paris. And with Vavassori they had the satisfaction of bringing home the US Open in the mixed event, in their new formula. Furthermore, she has become a permanent presence in Paolini’s box, part of the staff who worked with Jasmine to confirm herself in an extraordinary season also in singles. And it’s not over.
Will we still see you on the doubles court in 2026?
“Yes, with Jas we are organizing next season. Without forgetting the mixed doubles with Vavassori: we don’t have many opportunities, we play it as soon as we can, for example at the United Cup and then at the Australian Open. The retirement? It went so well, that it makes no sense to stop now. Now that I no longer play singles, I’m more rested, I express myself better in doubles.”
What was the best moment of the season? And the bitterest one?
“The best moment, I’m undecided between Rome and Paris, both were crazy. And then also the US Open with Vavassori: it didn’t last long, but it was a bomb of crazy emotions. The bitterest moment… given that it’s the most recent, maybe I’d say here in Riyadh, but we have no regrets because it went like this. We couldn’t have done much else” (alluding to the flu that debilitated Paolini, ed.).
How did you experience your last singles match?
“It was tough in Paris: I lost after having a match point in my favor. During the match I tried to think only about playing. Then, as soon as it was over, I couldn’t stop crying: I realized in that moment that it was the last one. But then as the days went by I got better.”
How has your relationship as doubles partners evolved now that she has a place on his coaching staff?
“I’ve been watching all of Jas’s singles matches for a couple of years: it was a natural step. When we play, I’m the doubles partner; when I’m in the box or during training I give advice, I help. I deal more with the tactical part, which is where I’m best able to lend a hand to Jas.”
I watch a lot of matches, especially opponents, to study them from a tactical point of view
The staff now also includes Danilo Pizzorno, coach and video analyst, with whom Paolini already collaborated in the past.
“He is the best at what he does, he had already helped Jasmine a lot and having him around again is a great opportunity to grow in fundamentals. Analyzing all the technical and movement details, he really provides great ideas, he is a magician.”
How do you find yourself in this new dimension?
“It’s not easy to manage everything: there are so many things to do and think about. I watch a lot of matches, especially opponents’ ones, to study them from a tactical point of view. And in any case I’m still a player, I have to train and therefore I also have to pay attention to my physical well-being and find a balance. But it’s something I enjoy and so it’s good.”
The greatest satisfaction?
“That famous match against Shnaider in Rome. It was raining, all the staff had returned, I had waited in the rain. Jasmine was changing a little too much, I told her to play almost only on her backhand and from 4-1 down the match changed.”
Have you ever thought about training someone else?
“I know Jas well. Taking someone from scratch and having them grow is very different: I don’t know if I would be ready yet. As a player I have developed a tactical sensitivity above all, with everything else I still don’t feel up to it. For now I’m having fun: tennis is my greatest passion. We’ll see later.”
Often a tennis player’s box must also absorb the moments of frustration of those on the court.
“I know it well! But it’s easy for me to understand these moments, I was even worse with Pablo (laughs). I understand it: on the pitch your pulse is pounding, there’s pressure, you run from one side to the other.”
Doubts are often raised as to whether playing singles and doubles is too burdensome for Paolini. What do you think?
“You have to put the positive and negative aspects on the scale: I am convinced that the former prevail. His best results also coincided with his commitment to doubles. I did the same thing in the past. Meanwhile, winning matches can give you great confidence, and it is very training. The physical effort is certainly less but it prepares you in real situations. And it exercises your eye at the net for certain touch and volley situations. We then try to measure our energy, to play doubles in two-person tournaments weeks, for example.”
Compared to last year, Jasmine has grown in awareness, in her way of being on the pitch, in competitiveness and is much more constant.
How can Jas still improve as a singles player?
“Compared to last year, she has grown in awareness, in her way of being on the pitch, in her competitiveness and she is much more constant. She has crazy qualities and will be able to grow further; with Danilo she is working a lot on the serve for example.”
Did you expect this level of consistency?
“It’s increasingly difficult to repeat yourself, the same thing happened to me too. In this sense this year surprised me: finishing two years in a row at the Finals is great. Do you still have a dream for the double? Yes, but you can’t say. It’s bad luck. However, we can do better than last year, even if it’s tough: the last two years have been incredible!”
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