'Each year is a new story' - Paolini on avoiding second season syndrome

Italian world number four Jasmine Paolini reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals before winning Olympics doubles gold in a breakout 2024

This year I have a different challenge ahead - defending lots of ranking points.

I had the most success I've ever had last season, starting with winning the biggest WTA title of my career in Dubai, then going on to reach the French Open and Wimbledon finals.

This meant I moved into the top 10 for the first time - and at the relatively late age of 28.

I started last year ranked 29th in the world and I started this year in fourth.

That brings a different type of pressure this season because I have to match those type of results - or better them - to stay so high.

Losing in the third round of the Australian Open was not what I wanted, of course, but you have to accept tough defeats and move on quickly.

Knowing I need to defend a huge amount of ranking points is sometimes in my mind.

But it is something I try not to think too much about, otherwise it will bring too much pressure.

I know rankings are important but it is not the main thing for me to focus on.

Jasmine Paolini was beaten 2-6 6-4 6-0 by 28th seed Elina Svitolina in the third round of the Australian Open singles on Saturday, then lost in the doubles alongside Sara Errani on Sunday

You have to concentrate on practising, how to practise better, play better on the court and make the right choices when you are in the match.

If I keep my level higher for longer, then the wins and rankings follow.

My coach feels the same as I do, we don't think about where we have to defend points and at which tournaments - doing that is only going to put on more pressure.

The most important thing about being a top tennis player, and the difference between everyone in the top 100 or so, is the mind. You have to control it.

So it is important I focus solely on improving my game now - not last year's results.

It is a new year and a new story. I have to write a story this year as good as last year's.

'Success was more than expected - but I always had belief'

People call me a 'late bloomer' because of what happened last year.

I had never gone past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament before, and then I reached the Australian Open fourth round before my runs at the French Open and Wimbledon.

I also had more success in the doubles and won Olympic gold with my good friend Sara Errani in Paris. It was a special, special year.

So what changed? Of course, things don't change overnight.

Every week we tried to add something which improved my game and, of course, winning matches is what really helps.

I had a good finish to the 2023 season which meant I started 2024 with more confidence in my game.

I was nervous when I came to Melbourne because I had never gone past the first round here.

After I won the first match here, I felt a huge amount of relief and things continued to improve.

I reached the fourth round before losing to Anna Kalinskaya, so a run like that gave me much more confidence for the whole year.

Because I'm in my late 20s, sometimes I thought the chance of having this kind of success had gone.

I knew it was going to be tough but I always kept hope. If you don't have belief and keep working hard then what's the point?

But I'd lie if I said I expected to do what I did.

Last year was unbelievable because of the consistency I had throughout the year. It was not just one good result at one tournament.

I knew that maybe one result could come but the consistency I had was unexpected.

I gained momentum from Melbourne and then things got better step by step.

Winning the title gave me the belief I could play at the highest level and I enjoyed everything which came with it - playing in big stadiums, having more fans, doing more media.

That's what motivates me to keep improving, keep playing well and staying at the top of the rankings for as long as possible.

Jasmine Paolini was speaking to BBC Sport's Jonathan Jurejko at Melbourne Park.