Jasmine Paolini Withdraws From 2025 Adelaide International
News
Jasmine Paolini's next tournament will be the Australian Open after she withdrew from the 2025 Adelaide International.
Paolini had an outstanding breakthrough season in 2024. She had never passed the second round of a Grand Slam at the start of last year, and her sole title was a WTA-250 tournament in 2021.
The Italian's fortunes dramatically improved throughout the 2024 season. Paolini secured a maiden WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Championships, dramatically beating Anna Kalinskaya, who served for the title in the deciding set.
That was followed a few months later by a run to the French Open final, including victories against Elena Rybakina, who recently added controversial former coach Stefano Vukov to her team again, and teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva. Iga Swiatek proved too strong in the final.
Paolini's reaching the Wimbledon final a few weeks later was an even bigger shock. Her semifinal victory against Donna Vekic in a deciding set tiebreak was one of the season's best matches, but Barbora Krejcikova won the final in three sets.
After those heartbreaking defeats, Paolini was not denied at the Olympic Games. She and Sara Errani overcame the young duo of Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in a deciding 10-point tiebreak to win Olympic gold in the women's doubles.
The 29-year-old's achievements in 2024 led to her qualifying for the WTA Finals and being nominated for the WTA Player of the Year. Coco Gauff claimed the WTA Finals title, and world No. 1 Sabalenka was named the Player of the Year.
Paolini prepared for the 2025 season by appearing in the World Tennis League. That included playing and winning a doubles match alongside Nick Kyrgios in one of the Australian's first tournaments since returning to the sport.
The French Open runner-up's first event of the new WTA season was at the United Cup. She won her singles matches against Switzerland and France to help Team Italy qualify for the quarterfinals.
Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova produced a stunning performance to defeat Paolini in the quarterfinal. Team Italy was defeated 2-1, ending its hopes of lifting the United Cup.
Paolini planned to compete at the Adelaide International after the United Cup. However, the Dubai Championships champion released a statement on social media announcing she had withdrawn from the event in Adelaide because she needed more time to rest and recover after the United Cup.
"I'm very sorry to announce my withdrawal from Adelaide. I need a bit more time to rest and recover after an intense week in Syndey. I look forward to seeing all the amazing fans in Adelaide next year."
Although disappointing for those who bought tickets for the Adelaide International, Paolini's decision seems sensible. She could have left herself burnt out and fatigued if she had played at and had a deep run in Adelaide.
Her outstanding 2025 season means she is now a contender for Grand Slams. Playing too many matches before the major tournaments could jeopardize her chances of going far at them.
