Jasmine Paolini describes it as a ‘dream come true’ after securing her spot in the Wimbledon 2024 final with a victory over Vekic.

What is Wimbledon?

Source: The Economic Times

The Wimbledon Championships, known as the oldest tennis tournament globally and esteemed as the most prestigious, have been held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, since 1877. Matches are played on outdoor grass courts, with retractable roofs installed over the two main courts from 2019.

Wimbledon is the most prestigious Grand Slam. It remains unique among these majors for being played on grass, the traditional surface of tennis. Additionally, Wimbledon is distinguished as the only Grand Slam with a night-time curfew, although matches can now extend until 11:00 p.m. under floodlights.

The Wimbledon tournament traditionally spans two weeks from late June to early July, typically starting either on the last Monday in June or the first Monday in July. The highlight of the event is the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles Finals, held on the Saturday and Sunday at the conclusion of the second week. In addition to these finals, five main events are held annually, complemented by junior and invitational competitions.

In 2009, Wimbledon’s Centre Court was equipped with a retractable roof to mitigate rain delays, ensuring minimal interruption to play. Subsequently, in 2019, a retractable roof was also installed over No. 1 Court, accompanied by various enhancements such as cushioned seating and an array of 10 independently operable cameras per court, designed to capture the action comprehensively.

Wimbledon is steeped in traditions that include a rigorous all-white dress code for players and royal patronage. Another iconic tradition is the consumption of strawberries and cream during the tournament, often enjoyed alongside Champagne in recent years. In contrast to other events, advertising is kept minimal and discreet, primarily featuring official suppliers like Slazenger and Rolex. Notably, the partnership with Slazenger represents the longest-running sporting sponsorship globally, supplying tennis balls for Wimbledon since 1902.

Source: Slazenger Heritage

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wimbledon 2020 was canceled, marking the first time since World War II that the tournament was not held. The rescheduled 134th edition took place from June 28, 2021, to July 11, 2021. The subsequent 135th edition occurred between June 27, 2022, and July 10, 2022, with regular play on a Sunday for the first time, coinciding with the centenary of the inaugural championships at Centre Court.

Notably, the ATP, ITF, and WTA did not allocate ranking points for the 2022 tournament due to controversy surrounding the exclusion of players representing Russia and Belarus.

About Jasmine Paolini’s Win:

Source: The Guardian

Jasmine Paolini described it as ‘a dream’ as she achieved her first career final at Wimbledon 2024 on Thursday, July 11th. Paolini staged a comeback from a set down to clinch victory over Donna Vekic, setting her sights on the final on Saturday, July 13th. Her triumph also marked her as the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

Reflecting on her victory, Paolini expressed how tumultuous the recent months had been for her, emphasizing her efforts to maintain focus on court. Describing the clash with Vekic as intense, she highlighted her immediate goal of recuperation.

“Lately, I’ve been extremely busy.” I’m completely dedicated to staying focused on my game and my love for tennis. It’s absolutely amazing to be here—it’s a dream come true,” Paolini, who reached the semi-finals in Eastbourne just last month, shared during her on-court interview.

“I believe it was a really intense match, and I gave it my all. Now, it’s crucial for me to focus on recovery. I think an ice bath is in order because my legs are feeling a bit tired.”

Before her impressive runs at the Australian Open, where she reached the fourth round, and the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon, Paolini had never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. When asked if she would have believed someone if they had predicted she would be a two-time finalist in a year, Paolini responded with a laugh, saying she would have thought they were crazy.

“Yeah, I would’ve replied, ‘You must be joking.’ I’m at a loss for words. Yeah, it’s just unbelievable,” Paolini remarked during a press conference.

Paolini acknowledged the inspiration she draws from players like Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, and Sara Errani, who have all reached major finals, but she emphasized her desire to forge her own path in tennis.

“Yeah, they inspire me so much. But I don’t want to compare too much because I’m writing my own story, my own career,” she explained. “I remember the Grand Slam finals they made. I think it’s really important for the next generation to have people who can achieve great things. They can show you that it’s possible. That’s really important.”

Source: The Independent

Looking ahead to the final of the women’s singles against Barbora Krejcikova on Saturday, Paolini is poised to continue her remarkable journey at Wimbledon.

Link to the X account of Jasmine Paolini:

https://twitter.com/JasminePaolini/status/1811448376170279235?t=Z4fUEx4Z6-sUPZFlYeopBw&s=08