Jasmine Paolini is back under the bright lights of the Dubai Tennis Championships, looking to shake off a rocky start to her 2026 campaign and rediscover the magic that made her a champion just two years ago. The Italian star, who will open her tournament against rising talent Alexandra Eala on Tuesday, knows all too well the unique challenges—and opportunities—that Dubai presents. After stumbling out of the gates this season with a third-round exit at the Australian Open and a first-round loss in Doha, Paolini is hoping for a change in fortunes on the fast courts of the United Arab Emirates.
“It helped me, this tournament. Of course, here I have great memories. It’s a weird place to play tennis because I remember before winning that tournament in 2024, I was like here I cannot play well (smiling),” Paolini told reporters in Dubai. “In that year, something changed. I don’t know why.” Her candor about the event’s oddities is refreshing—and perhaps relatable for many players who find Dubai’s atmosphere both exciting and daunting.
What exactly makes Dubai so ‘weird’ for Paolini? For starters, it’s the proximity of the fans. “It feels a bit weird because I don’t like too much noise around,” she explained in an interview with SuperTennis. “Not even music because I can hear everything around.” The courts are surrounded by stands that seem to press in on the action, making it hard for some players—Paolini included—to find their rhythm. She’s not alone in this; back in 2019, Simona Halep voiced similar concerns, noting that the closeness of spectators is a defining feature of the tournament.
But there’s more to the Dubai puzzle than just the crowd. Paolini points to the court speed as another factor that sets this event apart. “There are few courts that are really fast. The centre court, it’s a bit different. We have to adapt to it,” she said. Coming from Doha, where the courts are notoriously slow, Dubai’s quick surface demands a change in tactics and mindset. “Hopefully it gives me energy for this tournament, but also for the rest of the season,” Paolini added, her optimism shining through despite recent setbacks.
Her opponent on Tuesday, Alexandra Eala, is no stranger to capitalizing on her opponents’ inconsistencies. The young Filipina will be eyeing an upset, knowing Paolini’s early-season form has been patchy. With Paolini’s struggles in Melbourne and Doha still fresh, Eala might sense an opportunity to make her own mark on the tournament. Yet, if history is any guide, Paolini’s ability to adapt—and her fond memories of past success here—could tip the scales back in her favor.
Indeed, Dubai has been the site of Paolini’s biggest breakthrough. In 2024, she arrived as an unseeded underdog and left as a WTA 1000 champion. That run was nothing short of spectacular. She dispatched Beatriz Haddad Maia, Leylah Fernandez, and Maria Sakkari to reach the quarter-finals. Then, fortune smiled as she advanced to the semifinals without lifting a racquet, thanks to Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal. In the semifinals, she outlasted Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 7-6, before staging a remarkable comeback in the final against Anna Kalinskaya, winning 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. That victory marked her first WTA 1000 title and signaled her arrival among the sport’s elite.
The 2024 season didn’t stop there for Paolini. Riding high on her Dubai triumph, she stormed to the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon. Though she ultimately fell to Iga Swiatek in Paris and Barbora Krejcikova in London, those deep runs cemented her status as one of the game’s most improved players. It was a whirlwind year that transformed her from a tour regular into a genuine contender at the biggest events.
But as every tennis player knows, the sport rarely stands still. The following year, 2025, brought new challenges. Paolini’s Dubai title defense ended in the round of 16 at the hands of Sofia Kenin—a result she’s keen to improve upon this time around. With the draw set, the path ahead won’t get any easier. Should she get past Eala, Paolini will face either Linda Noskova or Sorana Cirstea in the round of 16. Looming further down the line are potential quarter-final opponents like Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Anna Kalinskaya, or Elise Mertens. It’s a gauntlet, but one that Paolini has navigated before.
What can fans expect from her opening match? If Paolini finds her footing early and adapts to the fast courts, she could quickly reestablish herself as a threat in the draw. But if Eala exploits the Italian’s recent inconsistency, an upset could be in the cards. Either way, the matchup promises intrigue, with both players hungry to make a statement.
Paolini’s reflections on her journey in Dubai offer a window into the mental side of the game. “Before winning that tournament in 2024, I was like here I cannot play well,” she admitted. “In that year, something changed. I don’t know why.” It’s a reminder that sometimes, a breakthrough can come when least expected—especially in a place that feels a little ‘weird.’
For Paolini, the Dubai Tennis Championships are more than just another stop on the tour. They’re a proving ground, a place where she’s tasted both frustration and triumph. With the 2026 edition underway, the question is whether she can once again adapt, overcome, and perhaps recapture the spark that made her a champion.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Court One when Paolini and Eala step out to play. Will the Italian’s experience and memories of past glory carry her through, or will Eala seize the moment and announce herself on the big stage? One thing’s for sure: in Dubai, with its fast courts and fervent fans, anything can happen. And for Jasmine Paolini, that unpredictability might just be the secret ingredient she needs to reignite her season.
For now, Paolini remains focused, ready to embrace the challenge and, perhaps, to add another memorable chapter to her Dubai story. The action is set, the stakes are high, and for tennis fans everywhere, the drama is just beginning.