Jasmine Paolini: 5 facts about tennis star with Ghanaian roots who made Wimbledon history

Italian-born tennis star of Ghanaian descent, Jasmine Paolini, made history on Thursday afternoon by reaching the 2024 Wimbledon final, edging out formidable opponent Donna Vekic from Croatia.

The 28-year-old has since received massive support due to her multiple lineages, which she proudly embraces: Italian, Polish, and Ghanaian.

Reflecting on her heritage, Paolini said, “I am proud to have different bloods in my body. Of course, I feel Italian, I was born in Italy. I am Italian. I think the important part of my life; My mum. She is Polish but my grandfather is from Ghana. I am fast because of Ghana [giggles]. Also when I was younger like 10 years, every summer I was going to Poland. I can speak Polish. And then I think it is something more. It’s a plus.”

“I’m fast because of Ghana”#Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini talks about her links to Ghana. Her grandfather is Ghanaian#3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/IIuCaNreRt

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) July 12, 2024

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Here are five facts you need to know about the tennis star who has fans from multiple nations cheering her on with hopes of clinching her first-ever Grand Slam title:

Equalled Serena Williams’ record in Grand Slam

Jasmine Paolini has reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals (Roland Garros and Wimbledon), becoming the first woman to do so in the same year since Serena Williams in 2016.

Jasmine Paolini becomes the 1st woman to reach the Roland Garros Final & Wimbledon Final in the same year since Serena Williams in 2016.

Footsteps.

🇮🇹❤️ pic.twitter.com/4Kwbtye5J2

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 11, 2024

First Italian woman to reach Wimbledon final

Jasmine Paolini made history as the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon women’s singles final, winning an absolute classic on Centre Court by defeating Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8).

Rich multicultural heritage

Paolini’s father, Ugo, is Italian, and her mother, Jacqueline, is of Polish and Ghanaian descent, originally from Łódź. Her maternal grandmother, who lives in Łódź, is Polish, and her maternal grandfather, who lives in Copenhagen, is Ghanaian.

Winner of the longest women’s singles semi-final in Wimbledon

Paolini defeated Donna Vekic in the longest women’s semi-final in Wimbledon history, lasting 2 hours and 51 minutes.

Career-high WTA Rankings

Paolini has a career-high WTA rankings of No. 7 in singles, (as of June 10, 2024) and No. 13 in doubles (as of July 1, 2024). She is currently the No. 1 female player in Italy.

Paolini, who traces her Ghanaian roots through her grandfather, will aim to win her first Grand Slam title against Czech 31st seed Barbora Krejcikova in Saturday’s final. She was denied a Grand Slam title at the French Open when she fell to Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-1 in a straight-sets final.