Jasmine Paolini mentioned she was “scared to dream an excessive amount of” after the bitter disappointment of dropping the Wimbledon closing to Barbora Krejcikova — weeks after she misplaced the title match on the French Open.
The seventh-ranked Italian recovered from a shaky begin to degree towards her Czech opponent however ended up sinking to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 defeat on Centre Courtroom.
At Roland Garros final month she misplaced the ultimate to world primary Iga Swiatek, profitable simply three video games.
Regardless of the disappointments, it has been a outstanding rise for Paolini, the primary Italian girl to succeed in a Wimbledon singles closing.
The 28-year-old had by no means been past the second spherical of a Grand Slam earlier than reaching the fourth spherical of the Australian Open earlier this 12 months.
Within the new rankings subsequent week she can be quantity 5 on this planet regardless that she ended final season down in thirtieth spot.
Paolini mentioned she was nonetheless aiming at “nice issues” regardless of her painful losses in Paris and London.
“Typically I am somewhat bit scared to dream an excessive amount of,” she mentioned. “I’ve to say that. I do not know.
“I am going again, attempting to practise, to remain within the current, as I mentioned many instances. That is the purpose for me, my group, to attempt to preserve this degree as a lot as doable.
“If I preserve this degree, I believe I can have the possibility to do nice issues.”
She described her emotions as bittersweet.
“At this time I used to be dreaming to carry the trophy, but it surely did not go effectively,” she mentioned. “I am simply having fun with the place the place I’m proper now, 5 on this planet. It is unbelievable, truthfully.
“I simply did two finals in two Grand Slams. I’ve to be additionally pleased with the outcomes. Additionally somewhat bit disenchanted.”