Jasmine Paolini has made the decision to part ways with her coach Marc Lopez, despite enjoying notable success during their brief collaboration. Paolini, a 29-year-old rising star in women’s tennis, had previously been under the guidance of Renzo Furlan from 2020 until earlier this year, achieving remarkable milestones that included reaching the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, clinching Olympic gold in doubles alongside compatriot Sara Errani, and securing her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Championships in 2025.
Their tenure together produced memorable highlights, with Paolini’s triumph at her home tournament, the Italian Open, standing out as a significant achievement. During that event, she delivered a stellar performance, defeating none other than the reigning 2025 French Open champion Coco Gauff in the final.
After their successful partnership, Paolini and Furlan decided to go their separate ways following a challenging start to 2025. Marc Lopez, a past French Open doubles champion and former coach of Rafael Nadal, took over coaching duties for a short stint. Together, they celebrated Paolini’s success at the Italian Open and a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2025 Roland Garros, where she and Errani secured victory over Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina in a thrilling three-set match.
In an official statement, Paolini expressed gratitude to Lopez, highlighting their achievements, particularly in Rome and Paris. She mentioned her intention to explore new avenues for her career, emphasizing that the decision to change coaches was motivated by a desire for further development.
“I want to express my gratitude to Marc Lopez for his guidance and support this season. I appreciate the effort he invested, and I will always cherish our time together,” Paolini stated. “With the season progressing, I felt it was essential to make a change and reflect on my next steps. I wish Marc nothing but success in his future endeavors.”
While the announcement has surprised many in the tennis community, it appears the split was amicable, as both Paolini and Lopez are known for their positive attitudes and professionalism. However, the decision may reflect Paolini’s ambitions in singles competition, particularly after falling short in her title defenses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year.
In the earlier tournaments, Paolini faced tough challenges, being eliminated by Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of Roland Garros after a dramatic match that saw her save match points, followed by an unexpected exit in the second round at Wimbledon against Kamilla Rakhimova.
Despite her recent success in doubles, Paolini’s primary aim remains to secure her first singles Grand Slam title. At 29, she still has the potential to make history, although her window for achieving this goal may be perceived as narrower compared to younger competitors like 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
While some may view the swift coaching change as a hasty decision, it is crucial to acknowledge that the dynamics between players and coaches can be complex. Examples abound in the sport where initial challenges can lead to long-term success, as seen in the case of Iga Swiatek and her coach Wim Fissette, who have navigated difficult phases before achieving outstanding results.
As Jasmine Paolini embarks on her next chapter, the tennis world eagerly awaits to see how her journey unfolds, and what new path she will take in pursuit of her ultimate tennis aspirations.