Paolini Surprisingly Announces Split From Nadal's Ex-Coach After Just Three Months
NewsTuesday, 08 July 2025 at 15:55
Jasmine Paolini has stopped working with Marc Lopez despite two of her greatest career moments occurring under the Spaniard's guidance.
Paolini was coached by Renzo Furlan from 2020 until April 2025. Under his guidance, she reached the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon finals, won Olympic gold in the doubles with Sara Errani, and secured her first WTA 1000 title at the 2025 Dubai Championships.
Despite their successful partnership, Paolini and Furlan decided to part ways after an average first few months this year. Lopez, a former French Open doubles champion who used to be one of Rafael Nadal's coaches, replaced him.
The best singles moment of their partnership was Paolini winning her home tournament at the 2025 Italian Open. She produced an outstanding performance to overcome 2025 Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff in the final.
Paolini also won her first Grand Slam doubles title at this year's Roland Garros with Errani. They defeated Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina in a three-set battle, banishing the bad memories of losing the previous year's final to Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova.
Those successes were not enough to convince Paolini to continue working with Lopez. The 29-year-old released a statement confirming the end of her partnership and that she instigated the change.
"I want to say thank you to Marc Lopez for his help and support this season. We had some great results together, especially in Rome and Paris, and I will always remember those moments. I appreciate all the hard work and energy Mark gave every day."
"Now that this part of the season is over, I've decided to make a change. I've learned a lot and made good progress, and now I'm taking the time to reflect on what the next step will be. Thank you again, Marc. For everything. I wish you all the best in the future."
While the split will undoubtedly shock many, it appears to be entirely amicable. Paolini and Lopez are two affable people, so it would be surprising if a rift behind the scenes caused them to part ways.
The Italian's decision might have been influenced by her singles results at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. After her final runs last year, she was defending a monumental number of points at both tournaments.
Paolini fell far short of matching that at the 2025 editions. Elina Svitolina beat her in the Roland Garros fourth round after saving match points, and Kamilla Rakhimova stunned Paolini in the Wimbledon second round.
The memorable triumph in front of her adoring fans in Rome was incredible, but Paolini's biggest goal is to win a maiden singles Grand Slam. At 29, she still has time to achieve it, but not as much as others, like 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
While that rationale for splitting with Lopez is understandable, some will deem the move harsh on him. Many coaches need more than three months to truly help a player.
Iga Swiatek and Wim Fissette's partnership is an example. They have had challenging moments since he joined in October, including the Pole ignoring him after a match, but she is now playing her best ever grass-court tennis after working hard with Fissette.
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