Jasmine Paolini may be the one smashing forehands on the WTA tour, but if recent interviews and off-court tidbits are anything to go by, the real powerhouse in her camp might just be… her nonna. That’s right — behind every killer cross-court rally, there’s apparently a heaping plate of homemade lasagna and a spoon-wielding Italian grandmother making sure her tennis star granddaughter is fed, focused, and fabulous.
While most athletes swear by protein shakes and kale smoothies, Paolini seems to have tapped into something far more potent: nonna power. Rumors swirled after Paolini casually mentioned her “lucky pasta” during a post-match interview in Rome. One wide-eyed fan immediately posted: “Excuse me, did Jasmine just credit her nonna’s tagliatelle for her quarterfinal win?!”
As it turns out, yes. Jasmine has often spoken about her tight-knit family and growing up in the Tuscan town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, where her nonna’s cooking wasn’t just delicious — it was foundational. “Food is love in our house,” she said in one interview. “And my nonna? She’s the Serena Williams of the kitchen.”
Sources close to Team Paolini say it’s not uncommon for her nonna to send her Tupperware care packages when Jasmine is training. One tennis journalist claimed they saw Paolini pull a foil-wrapped lasagna out of her bag during practice. “No way she brought Nonna’s lunch onto the court,” they whispered. Yes way.
It’s not just about the food. Jasmine’s grandmother reportedly keeps the entire family grounded, reminding everyone that no matter how many ranking points are at stake, what really matters is “eating well, sleeping enough, and calling your grandmother on Sunday.” A true sage.
Fans, of course, are obsessed. “Can we get a cookbook collab?!” one user tweeted. “Game. Set. Sauce.” said another. Some even suggested Paolini bring her nonna to the next Grand Slam as her “culinary coach.”
Jasmine, for her part, seems delighted by the attention. She recently posted a photo of herself and her grandmother in the kitchen, both wearing aprons that read “Queen of the Court” and “Queen of the Cannelloni.” The caption? “Fueling the wins — one bite at a time.”
So while Paolini continues her rise in the tennis world, it seems clear she’s got a secret weapon back home. And in a sport that demands precision, power, and mental stamina, maybe a full belly and a bit of nonna’s wisdom are the ultimate match-winners.
