Jasmine Paolini delivered a sensational performance to lead Italy to their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title, securing a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the final with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Rebecca Sramkova. This victory not only redeemed Italy after their heartbreaking defeat to Canada in the previous year’s final but also marked a return to the top for the Italian team, ending a more than decade-long wait for another title since 2013. Paolini, who had been defeated by Leylah Fernandez in last year’s decider, was in impeccable form this time, putting on a masterclass against the 43rd-ranked Sramkova, who struggled with cramps throughout the second set.
The Italian triumph was built on a rock-solid foundation, with Lucia Bronzetti putting Italy in the driver’s seat with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win over Viktoria Hruncakova in the opening singles match. Bronzetti, playing only her second Billie Jean King Cup singles match, had also contributed in the semi-finals with a crucial victory, proving herself to be a reliable asset for the team. With Italy taking a commanding 2-0 lead, Paolini took to the court with the task of sealing the victory, and she did so with authority, wrapping up the tie in straight sets and sparking wild celebrations among her teammates and the Italian supporters in the stands, including men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Paolini’s victory in the final was a statement of resilience and focus, particularly after last year’s disappointment. Reflecting on her journey, Paolini noted how she had approached this final with a clear mindset to give her all, acknowledging that while the outcome may not always be in one’s control, the effort must be. Her win against Sramkova was the culmination of a week of incredible performances by the Italian team, which had shown consistent excellence throughout the competition.
For Slovakia, the journey to the final had been a remarkable one, with the team pulling off an upset over Great Britain in the semi-finals. However, in the final, they were unable to replicate that magic, as Italy’s formidable combination of Paolini and Bronzetti proved too strong. Despite their best efforts, Slovakia’s hopes of clinching a first-ever title were dashed, and they were left to reflect on a solid tournament but an ultimately disappointing final.
On the other side of the competition, Emma Raducanu’s 2024 season ended in disappointment for Great Britain, who were knocked out of the semi-finals by Slovakia. Raducanu had shown promising form throughout the week, winning all three of her singles matches in straight sets after returning from an injury layoff. Despite her strong individual performances, the British team was unable to advance to the final, and Raducanu’s season came to an end. While the loss stung, she remained positive, emphasizing the importance of her return to competitive tennis after a challenging year marked by injuries. Raducanu highlighted her physical resilience and sharpness in matches as a key takeaway for her future growth.
For Raducanu’s teammate Katie Boulter, the disappointment of missing out on the final was tempered by a successful year. Boulter had claimed two WTA Tour titles in 2024, including her first at the prestigious 500-level event in San Diego, and ended the year ranked inside the world’s top 25. Looking back on her achievements, Boulter was proud of her progress and accomplishments, particularly her breakthrough performances at a higher level of the game. She expressed a desire to build on these successes in 2025, feeling confident that she could continue to improve and push for even greater achievements in the upcoming season.
As the Billie Jean King Cup concluded, Italy’s triumph was a testament to their strength and unity as a team, while the performances of players like Raducanu and Boulter provided optimism for the future of British tennis.
