Jasmine Paolini, Never Dreamed Of Qualifying The Grand Slam Final

Jasmine Paolini, qualified for the French Open final (photo: x @JasminePaolini)

"When I started playing tennis, I just enjoyed it. I didn't dream too much," Paolini told reporters. "Then I started training like a professional tennis player. I dreamed of becoming a professional, and I never dreamed of being, you know, number one, Grand Slam champion. Never dreamed so big. No."

Paolini was surprised to realize that other players did have dreams and goals from a young age. "For me it was surprising to see an interview from Nole (Novak Djokovic) when he was a kid saying he wanted to be world number one, and Wimbledon," he said. "I watched this, and I said, it's amazing that you can dream of being a child. I didn't dream of that, you know, when I was a kid."

Paolini will meet the world number one from Poland and three-time French Open champion, Iga Swiatek, in the final Saturday, June 8, who gave him the opportunity to use his Polish skills, because his mother is from Poland.

"I tried to speak in Polish, but it wasn't easy. I was a bit embarrassed because I wasn't so confident," said Paolini. "But of course, when I saw it, I congratulated him on the title he could win. He did the same. He congratulated me after Dubai."

Paolini will enter the final full of confidence as she also reaches the women's doubles semifinal at Roland Garros. "Entering the pitch and believing you can win, it's a completely different perspective to see the game," said Paolini. "When you're not confident, it's a little more complicated in tennis, because it's really a mental sport."