“SHUT UP, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?” Less than 24 hours after the announcement of Jasmine Paolini’s lawsuit, Vice President Matteo Salvini broke the silence with harsh words, publicly speaking out and further fueling the controversy. His comments immediately ignited political and media debate, heightening tensions surrounding the matter. But just ten minutes later, the tennis player responded: a brief, ten-word statement that, according to many, changed the tone of the dispute and shook public opinion. Read what he wrote here 👇
Less than 24 hours after Jasmine Paolini announced her lawsuit against the journalist who accused her of doping, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini took to the stage with an incendiary post that ignited a national debate.
Salvini’s message, published on X at 2.37pm yesterday, was direct and brutal:
Shut up, who do you think you are? A tennis player who cries about doping and then sues to protect her image? There are real problems in Italy: jobs, bills, security. Not the whims of a spoiled tennis player. If you have the balls, answer on the court, not in court.
The post garnered over 1.8 million views in just a few hours, thousands of likes from her most loyal followers, and a barrage of insults and threats in the comments directed at Paolini. Meanwhile, various right-wing social media figures reposted the content with increasingly aggressive variations: “Paolini wants easy money,” “First the accusations, then the tears,” “Typical left: professional victim.”
The Italian tennis world was stunned. Many of Paolini’s colleagues chose to remain silent, while others expressed their solidarity privately. But the most anticipated public response came exactly 10 minutes after Salvini’s post.
At 2:47 PM, Jasmine Paolini posted a story on Instagram with a black background and only ten bold white words:
“I play fair. You talk dirty. Who’s spoiled now?”
Ten words. No photos, no videos, no emojis. Just those dry, surgical sentences that immediately went viral.
In less than an hour, the post (reposted on thousands of accounts) had surpassed 4 million views. The hashtag #IoGiocoPulito became Trending #1 in Italy and among the top 5 globally. Celebrities, athletes, influencers, and ordinary citizens shared the screenshot with supportive comments. Rafael Nadal added a red heart, Novak Djokovic shared the story without commenting, and Jannik Sinner wrote privately to Paolini: “Great.” Many figures from the entertainment world and center-left politicians also expressed solidarity.
But the strongest reaction came from amateur tennis fans and clubs: thousands of photos of rackets, public courts, and children playing, accompanied by Jasmine’s words. In just a few hours, he became a symbol of dignity, of those who work hard and refuse to be humiliated for their success.
Salvini, taken aback by the power of the minimalist response, attempted a retort late in the afternoon: “Always playing the victim. I defend real Italians, not spoiled stars.” But the message was drowned out by thousands of replies accusing him of sexism, bullying, and inconsistency (given that Salvini himself has filed defamation lawsuits in the past).
Meanwhile, the Italian Tennis Federation has issued an official statement of support for Paolini: “Jasmine represents the finest values of our sport: commitment, fairness, and resilience. We firmly condemn any form of personal attack.” CONI also expressed its solidarity, while the Minister of Sport preferred not to comment so as not to further fuel the controversy.
The story has reached international proportions. BBC Sport, L’Équipe, and Tennis.com have dedicated articles to Paolini’s “dignified clapback,” calling it “a lesson in class under pressure.” In the United States, where Jasmine is beloved after her 2025 US Open semifinal, the episode has been compared to Serena Williams’s responses to certain attacks in the past.
But beyond the sports sphere, the case has sparked a broader debate: to what extent can a politician personally attack an athlete? Is it legitimate criticism or gratuitous bullying? And above all: can a mere ten-word response really shift the narrative and outvote a political leader with millions of followers?
For now, the numbers speak for themselves: Salvini’s post lost momentum after a few hours, while Jasmine’s continues to grow exponentially. Many political analysts argue it was a resounding own goal: Salvini gave Paolini enormous visibility, transforming her from a tennis champion into an icon of resistance and dignity for millions of Italians.
Jasmine, for her part, returned to training in Dubai without further comment. But her silence, after those ten words, speaks louder than a thousand interviews.
In an age where controversy is commonplace, ten words reminded everyone that sometimes the greatest strength lies in moderation, determination, and the naked truth.
And that, perhaps, you don’t need to shout to win a battle.
Jasmine, for her part, returned to training in Dubai without further comment. But her silence, after those ten words, speaks louder than a thousand interviews.
In an age where controversy is commonplace, ten words reminded everyone that sometimes the greatest strength lies in moderation, determination, and the naked truth.
