Jasmine Paolini completed her breakthrough season by winning the Billie Jean King Cup with Italy, and she discussed what an unbelievable year it had been for the country.
Team Italy reached last year's final, but they were beaten by Canada. In the second match, Paolini lost in straight sets to an inspired Leylah Fernandez to confirm defeat.
Paolini aimed to erase those bad memories this year. The 28-year-old won her singles match and the doubles with Sara Errani, with whom she won the Olympics, against Japan to reach the semifinals.
After losing a lengthy singles battle against Iga Swiatek, Paolini bounced back by winning the doubles against Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa in the decider to book Italy's place in the final.
Lucia Bronzetti's victory in the opening match of the final against Slovakia meant Paolini could seal the title against Rebecca Sramkova, and the world No. 4 did just that with a crushing win for the loss of just three games.
Paolini's rise this year has been remarkable. At the start of the season, she had never progressed past the second round of a Grand Slam, but that dramatically changed in memorable style.
Paolini was the runner-up at the French Open, including a victory against teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the semifinal. Swiatek proved far too strong in the final, winning her fourth title at Roland Garros.
The Italian then came agonizingly close to winning Wimbledon, losing 6-4 to Barbora Krejcikova in the third set. Her 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 semifinal triumph against Donna Vekic was one of the best women's matches ever played at SW19.
She helped to erase the pain from those defeats by winning an Olympic gold medal with Errani. They won a close final against the young duo of Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider to reign supreme in Paris.
Those achievements mean Paolini is one of five nominees for the WTA Player of the Season. Aryna Sabalenka will probably win the award, but being on the shortlist is still something to be proud of.
Jannik Sinner becoming the ATP No. 1 and winning two Grand Slams means 2024 has been a special season for Italian tennis. After winning the Billie Jean King Cup, Paolini discussed that in a press conference.
"I think it's unbelievable year for Italian tennis. It's so good for our sport in our country. We have a lot of fun now in Italy, fun of tennis, you. Tennis is growing a lot, and I think it's really good."
"It's really good also to have Jannik as world No. 1. He's really an example for everybody. Nice personality. So it's good, you know. I think this was an unbelievable year. I mean, yes, was an unbelievable year, I have to say. If I look back, I say yes. You're right. It was unbelievable, yeah."
It might be hard for Paolini to better her achievements from this year in 2025. However, her chances of doing that should not be ruled out. Her ability and fighting spirit make it possible, and she also receives much crowd support due to being one of the most likable people in tennis.