Coco Gauff points out what she has ‘never’ seen Jasmine Paolini do on court before their meeting at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Coco Gauff is set to face Jasmine Paolini in a much-anticipated quarter-final at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Saturday, with both players showing mutual admiration before their clash.
The American star is finding her rhythm as the WTA clay-court season heats up. While 2025 hasn’t brought many highlights for the former Grand Slam winner so far, a solid run in Stuttgart could be a turning point. Gauff reached the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year but has struggled to build on that performance—until now.
Gauff: “She Never Gives Up”
Gauff, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, spoke highly of her Italian opponent and longtime practice partner.
“She’s an incredible mover and has a really strong forehand,” Gauff said. “We haven’t played much recently on tour, but we do practice together a lot.
“Everybody knows Jasmine fights for every point. I’ve never seen her give up on court—that kind of spirit makes this a tough match. But it’s great preparation for Roland Garros.”
Paolini: “Coco Is a Complete Player”
Paolini, ranked just behind Gauff at world No. 5, is riding the momentum of a breakout 2024 season that saw her reach her first Grand Slam finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Italian is still chasing that elusive major title but believes she’s getting closer—and her next test comes in the form of Gauff.
“We’ve trained a lot together over the past six months,” Paolini said in her press conference. “Coco’s game is so powerful—her serve, her return, her movement, it’s all so strong.
“I’ll need to be aggressive and focused every point if I want to be competitive. She’s a very complete player, so I need to bring my best game.”
A Clash of Rising Stars
With both Gauff and Paolini among the top five in the world and on an upward trajectory, Saturday’s quarter-final promises fireworks. For Gauff, it’s a chance to rebuild her season. For Paolini, it’s another step toward her first major title.
