Double crown: Paulini won double-team champion in unforgettable trip to Rome

After winning the championship in Dubai last year and making a breakthrough in the French Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam singles finals, Paulini has been surrounded by questions about "whether he can continue to maintain his form."

"Every year is a new story." She responded.

This weekend in Rome, the 29-year-old Italian player gave a strong answer on the clay court at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

"Yes," Paulini said Sunday afternoon, "2024 is incredible and I am grateful for it, but now it's different. I have to write a great story for Rome."

She is 1.63 meters tall, but she's far more than that on the court. In the packed stadium, Paulini celebrated happily on the court with his arms wide open and smiles. The audience stood up and sang cheerfully - this scene was actually staged twice.

On Saturday, Paulini defeated Goff 6-4, 6-2, becoming the first Italian female player to win the Italian BNL international in 40 years. Italian President Sergio Mattarella also applauded the most important champion of her career on the spot. She was the first female player to be the oldest in Rome’s history to win the championship – and surprisingly, it was the first clay champion in her career.

Then on Sunday, under such a special situation, Paulini delivered more unexpected results. She partnered with Elani, the Italian pair once trailed Mertens and Kudmetova 0-4 in two back-to-back sets, but ended up winning 6-4, 7-5.

In the more than half a century of history of the Open era, the women who won the singles and doubles championships in this event include: Billie Jane King, Virginia Wade, Chris Evert (twice), Rafaela Regia, Monica Celes - and Paulini. After winning the doubles championship, Paulini accepted several interviews with wtatennis.com:

How do you describe your feelings now?

Paulini: It's incredible. These two weeks are perfect here. Winning this event in Italy, in front of our audience is incredible. Too many emotions intertwined - great.

How will you describe your feelings now?

Paulini: It's amazing. The experience here in the past two weeks is perfect. Winning this event in Italy, in front of our audience is incredible. Too many emotions came to my mind - great.

How eager are you to win the doubles championship with Sarah after winning the singles championship?

Paulini: Very eager. I was very tired at that time. The game ended very late yesterday. After finishing the recovery training and accepting an interview, I will play the game early today. I kept telling myself, ‘Listen, do my best and do my best. ’I haven’t had many sleeps, about six and a half hours. I tossed and turned and woke up early in the morning, but I drank an extra cup of coffee.

What are you thinking when you are 0-4 behind?

Paulini: It's not because I'm not in shape, but because they played so well. But somehow, we turned the game around. I played some high balls and changed my pace. Sarah? She is always so outstanding in front of the net. We always knew her.

Finally, at the draw of 6-5, 40, you scored a return goal to win...

Paulini: Yes, that's incredible. This made me feel relieved because it was 40 tied at the time, and it would be difficult to play the tiebreaker seven. I just brought the ball back on the court and it worked.

With the first championship of this year, you will rise to No. 4 in the PIF WTA rankings – more than four French Open champion Svatech. What are your expectations for the upcoming French Open?

Paulini: I don't think I'm a hot topic. It's always difficult to participate in such a competition. I will try my best to focus on the first game, hoping to play longer than the first round. I just want to walk onto the court and enjoy the game, and not think too much about expectations.