JASMINE Paolini’s parents have been her steadfast supporters since she was five years old.
They cheered her on during the Wimbledon semi-final and will proudly watch her compete in the final from the stands.
Jasmine Paolini is an Italian professional tennis player.
Her parents are named Igo Paolini and Jacqueline Gardiner.
Her father, Igo, is of Italian descent, while her mother, Jacqueline, is of Ghanaian and Polish descent.
Her father’s support has been instrumental in Jasmine’s tennis career, providing her with the encouragement and resources needed to pursue professional tennis from a young age.
She told WTA Tennis: “I remember that my father and my mother told me, you have to choose one sport to do.
“In Bagni Di Lucca there was all tennis or a swimming pool and because of my uncle who was playing tennis, I decided to go to play.
“I enjoyed it a lot ever since I started it.
“I really enjoyed to be at the tennis club. We were like a big family and I had friends there. It was really nice.”
Recently, Jasmine dedicated the W100 Les Franqueses del Vallès trophy to her father, acknowledging his unwavering support throughout her journey.
Being of Ghanaian and Polish descent, Jacqueline has influenced Jasmine’s diverse upbringing.
Her multicultural heritage has given Jasmine a unique perspective and identity, which she carries with pride.
Jasmine has a close relationship with her mother and her mother is frequently seen supporting her daughter during matches from the players’ box.
Both parents have supported Jasmine in her journey as a professional athlete, contributing to her development and success in the world of tennis.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m so grateful they were here. They’ve been supporting me forever.
Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine beat Donna Vekic during the women’s semi-final at Wimbledon 2024.
The match lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes and became the longest women’s semi-final in the competition’s history.
Her family was in the audience to support her.
She told Sportskeeda: “I’m so happy with this win, I think…I don’t know…this match, I will remember forever.
“I was just you know trying to think about what to do on the court point by point.
“I was repeating to myself ‘try point by point’ because I was really close.
“I think it’s not easy for the family to watch a match like this.
“It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I’m so grateful they were here.
“They’ve been supporting me forever.
“I’m just so grateful to have them here watching.”
Jasmine will play in the final on Saturday, July 13, 2024, against Barbora Krejčíková in London.
Jacqueline moved to Italy with her cousin shortly after completing her education and worked at an eatery in Tuscany.
She met Ugo Paolini at a bar, and they married shortly after their first meeting.
The family has been settled in Italy for the past 30 years and Igo and Jacqueline Paolini are likely in their 50s.
They have another child, a son named William Paolini.
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