Overview

• The image was taken during Paolini’s first-round match against Destanee Aiava at Flushing Meadows, with the Yonex logo aligning to mask her face as eyes filled the circles and her mouth sat in the triangle.
• Giubilo posted the photo on Instagram, where fans hailed it as one of the best tennis images ever and it quickly spread across social platforms and outlets.
• After winning her second-round match, Paolini approached Giubilo for a high five and said “Great photo,” later calling it “maybe the picture of the year.”
• Giubilo said he recognized the shot’s uniqueness immediately on his Nikon Z9 and could not recreate it despite trying the following night.
• The long-time tour photographer is known for exhaustive days shooting numerous matches, while Paolini has advanced to the third round to face Marketa Vondrousova.