 "Jasmine Paolini lost in three sets in the Wimbledon final against Barbora Krejcikova. AP")
Jasmine Paolini said she was “scared to dream too much” after the disappointment of losing the Wimbledon final to Barbora Krejcikova – a few weeks after she lost the title match at the French Open .
The seventh-ranked Italian recovered from a slow start to level against Krejcikova but ended up sinking to a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 defeat.
At Roland Garros last month she lost the final to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek , pocketing just three games in a one-sided match.
Despite the disappointments, it has been a remarkable rise for Paolini, the first Italian woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final.
The 28-year-old has had a meteoric rise this season. She had never been beyond the second round of a Grand Slam before reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.
In the new rankings on Monday, she will be number five in the world after ending last season down in 30th spot.
Paolini said she was still aiming at “great things” despite her painful losses in Paris and London.
“Sometimes I’m a little bit scared to dream too much,” she said. “I have to say that. I don’t know.
“I’m going back, trying to practise, to stay in the present, as I said many times. This is the goal for me, my team, to try to keep this level as much as possible.
“If I keep this level, I think I can have the chance to do great things.”
She described her feelings as bittersweet.
“Today I was dreaming to hold the trophy, but it didn’t go well,” she said. “I’m just enjoying the position where I am right now, five in the world. It’s unbelievable, honestly.
“I just did two finals in two Grand Slams. I have to be also happy with the results. Also a little bit disappointed.”
(with inputs from AFP)