Jasmine Paolini shares her Rafael Nadal goal at Olympics: If you see on Instagram...
07/26/2024 10:00 PM
2024 sensation Jasmine Paolini has two goals at this year's Paris Olympics and one of those goals is quite an interesting one since the 28-year-old Italian is hoping to bump into Rafael Nadal and get a selfie with the Spaniard for Instagram.
Just two months ago, Paolini reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open - in which she was beaten by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. This week, Paolini returned to Roland Garros but this time for the Olympics and also as a two-time Grand Slam finalist and the new world No. 5.
While Paolini is one of Italy's biggest hopes for the tennis event at this year's Olympics, the 28-year-old is also hoping to use her time in Paris to accomplish one of her personal goals.
"My goal for these Olympics is to ask Rafa for a selfie. I have one with Roger (Federer) and one with Novak (Djokovic) from the previous Olympics, so my goal is to ask for one with Rafa. I feel a little embarrassed, but I will try to do it. If you see one on Instagram, it means I did it," Paolini said in her pre-tournament interview in Paris.
Jasmine Paolini© Getty Images Sport - Clive Brunskill Paolini on returning to Roland GarrosWhen Paolini came to Roland Garros in late May for the French Open, no one had her as a contender for the title. But after clinching a couple of big wins - including the one over Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinal - the Utalian ended up making her maiden Major final.
Also, Paolini was a finalist in the doubles event as she and Sara Errani ended as runners-up to Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova.
Since then, Paolini also made the Wimbledon final - where she lost to Barbora Krejcikova.
"It feels strange to return here after so little time, it feels a little different. The balls are different, maybe the courts are a little different, too, the weather. But it is always a beautiful place to play tennis," Paolini admitted.
At the Paris Olympics, Paolini plays Ana Bogdan in the singles first round while she and Errani face off against Erin Routliffe and Lulu Sun in the doubles first round.
