Jasmine Paolini reacts as Italian Open defeat confirms her top-10 exit

Add as preferred source on Google

Jasmine Paolini lost to Elise Mertens in the third round of the 2026 Italian Open.

Failing to defend her title, Paolini will drop out of the world’s top 10.

If tennis were creating a fifth Grand Slam title, where would you want it held? 🌏

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Understandably disappointed with the result, the Italian shared her thoughts during her post-match press conference.

Jasmine Paolini remains upbeat despite ‘tough’ loss at her home tournament

“Yes, it’s a tough loss, especially because of the score, how it was,” she said.

“But she’s a great player. She’s solid. I think she played very well in the important points. Me, I could be a little bit more smart sometimes.

“So it’s tough, but it’s tennis and can happen.”

Paolini failed to convert match points in the second set before losing 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, to her Belgian opponent.

The 30-year-old looked back at those match points and delivered her verdict on the crowd.

“I think today I was feeling good. I played so-and-so the match points, especially the third one,” she said.

“Unfortunately, it’s tennis and can happen.

“It’s tough to, I don’t know, get through this loss because I’m in Italy.

“I wanted to play more matches. It’s nice to play in front of this crowd. They give me energy. But today wasn’t enough, I mean, from my side for the people.”

Finally, Paolini looked ahead to Roland Garros and the changes she plans to make before the second Grand Slam of the year.

“I think the last couple of tournaments I was playing better. This tournament, I was feeling good. I think I have to be more, let’s say, solid on the important points, to play better those kinds of points,” she said.

“I’m not really happy about my results, of course. I think I have to try to be more positive and to look forward to the next tournaments. I think it’s getting better and feeling better, feeling more positive on court. That’s important.

“Today, with a tough opponent, I was competitive. I stayed there. I mean, I managed to play my game. That’s important to me.

“We have to adjust a few things, I know that, to win these kinds of matches. It’s getting better.”

Dropping almost 1,000 points from her title win a year ago, Paolini won’t travel to Paris as a top-10 player.

Live WTA Rankings

It would be dangerous to count her out, though, as on her day, Paolini is one of the best clay-courters around…

How Jasmine Paolini won the Italian Open double last year

Last year, Paolini enjoyed arguably the greatest week of her professional career, winning both the singles and doubles titles at her home tournament.

Jasmine Paolini at the 2025 Italian Open (Singles)

• 2R [WIN] vs Lulu Sun, 6-4, 6-3
• 3R [WIN] vs Ons Jabeur, 6-4, 6-4
• 4R [WIN] vs Jelena Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-2
• QF [WIN] vs Diana Shnaider, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
• SF [WIN] vs Peyton Stearns, 7-5, 6-1
• F [WIN] vs Coco Gauff, 6-4, 6-2

Jasmine Paolini at the 2025 Italian Open (Doubles w/Sara Errani)

• 1R [WIN] vs Jiang Xinyu/Wu Fang-hsien, 6-3, 6-4
• 2R [WIN] vs Yulia Putintseva/Leylah Fernandez, 6-4, 4-6 [10-7]
• QF [WIN] vs Alex Eala/Coco Gauff, 7-5, 3-6 [10-7]
• SF [WIN] vs Mirra Andreeva/Diana Shnaider, 6-4, 6-4
• F [WIN] vs Elise Mertens/Veronika Kudermetova, 6-4, 7-5

Paolini and Sara Errani defeated Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova in the doubles, and the Italian beat Coco Gauff in the singles final to win two titles in two days.

Despite losing to Mertens in singles, Paolini still has a shot at Italian Open glory this year.

She will team up with Errani to begin their title defence against another Italian duo: Vittoria Paganetti and Gaia Maduzzi, on Monday, May 11.