In a captivating clash at the 2025 Italian Open final, Coco Gauff faced a formidable Jasmine Paolini on the clay courts of Rome’s Foro Italico, ultimately falling 6-4, 6-2 in a swift 89-minute battle. The defeat marked Gauff’s second consecutive WTA 1000 final loss, following Madrid, but it was her gracious post-match reflection and a heartfelt message to Paolini that stole the spotlight. As the Italian crowd, bolstered by dignitaries like President Sergio Mattarella, celebrated Paolini’s historic triumph—the first by an Italian woman in Rome since 1985—Gauff’s words revealed her sportsmanship and admiration for her opponent’s brilliance.
The 21-year-old American, ranked No. 3, entered the final after a grueling semi-final against Qinwen Zheng, a 3-hour-32-minute epic that tested her endurance. That marathon, the longest women’s match of 2025, left Gauff visibly fatigued, and Paolini capitalized with relentless aggression. The Italian, riding a 9-2 clay-court record and a recent win over Gauff in Stuttgart, leveled their head-to-head at 2-2 with a masterclass in versatility. “Jasmine played great tennis today,” Gauff said in her press conference, acknowledging her opponent’s dominance. “Unfortunately, I felt like I didn’t bring my best, which I knew I needed today.” Her serve struggled, with seven double faults and only 63% of first-serve points won, while Paolini’s pinpoint returns and clever shot-making kept her on the defensive.
Despite the loss, Gauff’s journey to the final was a testament to her clay-court resurgence. She powered through a stacked draw, dismantling Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 and outlasting Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. Her 11-2 clay record this season, with losses only to Paolini and Aryna Sabalenka, has elevated her to a career-high No. 2 ranking. “Definitely proud of the two results, but also disappointed,” Gauff reflected, balancing pride with ambition. “Overall a lot to look forward to in Paris.” Her optimism for Roland Garros, where she reached the final in 2022, was palpable as she quipped, “Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing.”
What stood out most, however, was Gauff’s heartfelt message to Paolini, a gesture that underscored her class. “I just wanted to say congratulations to Jasmine,” Gauff shared post-match. “She’s been playing unbelievable tennis, and it’s amazing to see her making history for Italy. She deserves this moment, and I’m happy for her.” These words, delivered with genuine warmth, highlighted Paolini’s milestone as only the fourth Italian woman to win the Rome title since 1930. Paolini, emotional in victory, echoed the sentiment: “It doesn’t seem real. It’s incredible to have the trophy in my hands. I came here as a kid to watch this tournament, so to lift the trophy is beyond what I ever dreamed of.”
Paolini’s performance was a spectacle. The 29-year-old, now rising to No. 4, broke Gauff early in both sets, using a mix of powerful forehands, delicate drop shots, and net approaches to dictate play. “She forced me to play that way,” Gauff admitted, crediting Paolini’s tactical acumen. “Maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can. But she played to win today and she deserved to win.” The match culminated with Paolini saving a match point and sealing the title with a booming serve, igniting the crowd.
As Gauff looks to Roland Garros, her Italian Open run offers valuable lessons. “I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis,” she said, finding confidence in her ability to compete at the highest level despite imperfections. Her youth—she’s the third-youngest to reach four WTA 1000 finals—and relentless drive position her as a favorite in Paris. Meanwhile, Paolini’s victory, coupled with her upcoming doubles final alongside Sara Errani, marks a career-defining moment. For Gauff, the defeat stings, but her message to Paolini and her forward-looking mindset signal a champion poised for greatness.
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