French Open hopeful Jasmine Paolini names four rivals for glory before apologising to Pope

Jasmine Paolini has named her four biggest rivals for the title - and apologised to the Pope.

The Italian returns to Roland Garros among the favourites after reaching the finals in Paris and last year.

"It feels strange," laughed the bubbly world No.4. "As a person, I feel the same but with more experience maybe. Maybe a little bit more mature as well - I am getting older! But I am the same person. It's amazing to be back here. It's a special place, you know, and we played also Olympics here. So it's nice to be back."

Paolini, 29, lost in the final to Iga Swiatek 12 months ago and has named the Pole, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva as the biggest obstacles to her first Grand Slam.

"Iga for sure - she has won four times here," said the Italian. "Last year she was unbelievable in the final. I was surprised by her level. And there is also Zheng Qinwen. She played unbelievably at the Olympics and she can do well here.

"There is Aryna - she has had an amazing season. And there is Mirra Andreeva. Last year I won against her in the semi-final and she has grown up a lot. She is just 18. These four players I think are the best to win the title."

Asked if she will use her experience from last year to help her in her next final, the Olympic doubles champion said: "I don't know. Iga last year played amazing, honestly. I played against her also in the Billie Jean King Cup and I lost again but somehow it was easier! For me it is one of the toughest challenges in sport to play her on Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was really tough so I don't know if this year will change anything!"

Paolini, who is now working with Rafa Nadal's ex-coach Marc Lopez, made history earlier this month by becoming the first woman since Monica Seles in 1990 to win the singles and doubles titles at the Rome Masters.

"It was crazy," she smiled. "Two amazing weeks, tough as well with singles and doubles but my friends and family were there for the finals. It was amazing. It was perfect."

Male world No.1 Jannik Sinner also reached the final in the Italian capital and he had a private audience with new Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican during the tournament.

"I was playing doubles," said Paolini. "Maybe another time - I was busy. Sorry!" The Italian will start her 2025 French Open campaign against China's Yue Yuan on Sunday.

Jasmine Paolini has been training with a