Italy secured its first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013 by defeating Slovakia in the final of the women's team competition. Jasmine Paolini led the Italian team to victory by defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 in a dominant performance.
Paolini, who had a remarkable season, reached the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year. She also won a doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics with Sara Errani. Paolini's success this year has been a significant breakthrough in her career.
Italy clinched the best-of-three series against Slovakia by sweeping the two singles matches. Lucia Bronzetti also contributed to Italy's victory by winning her singles match against Viktoria Hruncakova.
The Italian team expressed their joy and pride in winning the championship, with captain Tathiana Garbin praising the team's fighting spirit throughout the tournament. The victory adds to Italy's recent success in tennis, including two Grand Slam trophies in 2024 and Jannik Sinner's No. 1 men's ranking.
The Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup are being held at the same site for the first time, with Italy set to face Argentina in the men's quarterfinals. The women's matches are played in a smaller venue, creating an intimate and intense atmosphere for the players and spectators.
Bronzetti, who played her first BJK Cup singles match in this tournament, highlighted the honor of competing in front of Billie Jean King herself. Slovakia, despite their strong performance throughout the tournament, fell short in the final against Italy.
Italy's victory in the Billie Jean King Cup marks a significant achievement for the team and further establishes their presence in the world of tennis.
