Jasmine Paolini Defies Height Stereotypes in Tennis Climb

MELBOURNE, Australia — At 5 feet 4 inches, Jasmine Paolini stands out in a sport where height often dominates the conversation. The Italian tennis star, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, is the shortest player in the WTA Tour‘s top 20, a fact that has made her an anomaly in a game increasingly dominated by taller athletes.

“I heard that the average height of the players currently in the top 10 is about 5 feet 10 inches,” Paolini told BBC Sport‘s Jonathan Jurejko at Melbourne Park. “But it’s not something I worry about. I just try to play my tennis and concentrate on my game.”

Paolini’s height has become a frequent topic in online searches, but she has turned her physical stature into an advantage. Known for her speed and agility, she leverages her quickness to outmaneuver opponents. “Being smaller means I have different weapons to a taller player,” she said. “We work with what we have, you know!”

Her relentless work ethic and powerful groundstrokes have propelled her to the upper echelons of the sport. Paolini recently advanced to the third round of the 2025 Australian Open with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua. She landed 67% of her first serves and broke Zarazua six times, showcasing her precision and determination.

Paolini’s next challenge comes against Ukraine‘s Elina Svitolina, a two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist. Svitolina, seeded No. 28, has a strong record on hard courts, boasting a 68% win rate compared to Paolini’s 57.2%. Despite the odds, Paolini remains unfazed. “Everybody has to believe in themselves, no matter what others say or think,” she said. “If you believe in your dream, then you can reach it.”

Paolini’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-belief. As she prepares to face Svitolina, her focus remains on enjoying the game and fighting for every point. “I try to remember that it is just a game,” she said. “You can win or you can lose, but you have to give 100% every time.”