After Jannik Sinner, Jasmine Paolini, the young and talented Italian tennis player, also created a real media earthquake at Roland-Garros by categorically refusing to wear Elon Musk’s Tesla-sponsored advertisement on her shirt during the tournament.
Paolini explained that for her, tennis is a pure passion and that she does not want a big company to influence her performance on the court in any way. “Tennis is my life, my love, and I want to play without any distractions or external interference,” she stated firmly.
Furthermore, Paolini stressed how important it is for her that her fans focus exclusively on her performances and matches, and not on a sponsorship or an external brand. “I want my fans to focus on the matches I play, not on a big company like Tesla,” she added, making her position very clear.
This decision infuriated Elon Musk, who just a few weeks ago had already shown his disappointment at Jannik Sinner’s refusal to wear the same ad. Musk harshly commented on Paolini’s choice, stating that “she will regret having refused this contract.”
The story has sparked a heated debate among fans and industry insiders, divided between those who support the athletes’ right to choose freely and those who believe that refusing such an important sponsorship is a strategic error.
Paolini, however, remains firm in her decision, stressing that for her, respect for the sport and concentration on the court come before any commercial agreement. The young Italian thus demonstrates once again her determined character and her dedication to tennis, earning the respect of many fans around the world.
