"It get's harder when you get to your mid 30's" - Former coach of Serena Williams makes prediction on Jasmine Paolini's 2025 performance

Following her breakout performance in 2024, Jasmine Paolini could be set to carry that momentum through the 2025, according to retired Australian player, Rennae Stubbs.

Paolini began 2024 by winning the biggest title of her career in Dubai, before reaching two consecutive Grand Slam finals at the French Open and then Wimbledon. The diminutive Italian would go on to end the year at a career-high ranking of World No.4, in addition to making her first appearance at the elite year-ending WTA Finals.

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Stubbs believes Paolini could remain in the top 10 next year

The former doubles expert, who coached WTA great Serena Williams during the final phase of her career, had high praise for Paolini. Stubbs alluded to the fact that despite being 28 years old, Paolini still had a few more years of high-level competitive tennis left in her.

"I think she understands she probably has a window of about three or four years to really capitalize on her age, on her experience and how well she plays," said Stubbs on the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Podcast. "It gets harder when you get to your mid 30’s. She is at an age right now where 28 is really starting to be in her prime. I think she will be in the top 10 for sure throughout the entire year next year."

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Furthermore, Stubbs pointed out Paolini's variety in gameplay, and heaped praise on her serve, despite Paolini being one of the smaller female athletes on tour.

“I just think she is a true all-court player," added Stubbs. "She can come to the net, she has good volleys, she is looking to move forward and she doesn’t have a weakness.
“There is not a weakness in her game. She literally can hit every shot. She doesn’t get free points on her serve but for someone who is so small her serve is great. Her second serve is not overly attackable.
“I think the only thing that is going to stop her is if she plays against a player who overpowers her slightly but I see her doing great on clay, there is no surface she can’t play on."