In a fitting finale to the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini put the exclamation point on a tremendous season.
The fourth-ranked Italian got her team over the hump on Wednesday at the Billie Jean King Cup finals, clinching her nation’s fifth title and first since 2013 with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Rebecca Sramkova to give Italy a 2-0 triumph over Slovakia in Malaga.
It wasn’t just Paolini that was shining for Italy. It was a true team effort for the Azzura.
Lucia Bronzetti, ranked 78th, made a massive contribution to Italy’s cause this week in Malaga as well. The surprising 25-year-old played – and won – her first two BJK Cup singles matches, beating Polaind’s Magda Linette in the semifinals and taking out Viktoria Hruncakova in the first match of Wednesday’s final 6-2, 6-4.
“We are the world champions,” elated Bronzetti said after Italy had locked up the crown. ‘We are so proud and now we’re celebrating.
“I always dreamed about this trophy, and now we have it – I can’t be happier.”
Paolini has emerged as the leader of Italian’ women’s tennis this season, reaching major finals at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, then claiming the Olympic gold medal in doubles with partner Sara Errani, who was also a key component of Tathian Garbin’s squad.
She delivered a dominant victory on Wednesday to put Italy back on top of BJK Cup.
“Unbelievable year,” Paolini said. “A crazy year. To finish like this with the title at Billie Jean King Cup, it’s amazing – I don’t have words to describe it.
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“I’m trying just to enjoy every moment. I feel lucky to be in position and I feel lucky to be a part of this team. I think we played an unbelievable week and I’m really happy that this year we could bring the trophy home again.”
Paolini and Italy came close to winning the title in 2023, losing to Canada in the final. This year, with more experience, they came back to claim their place at the top of the most prestigious international competition in women’s tennis.
37-year-old Errani, who clinched Italy’s semifinal win over Poland on the doubles court with Paolini, summed it up aptly.
“It’s been an incredible year,” she said. “My dream was to win the medal at the Olympics, and we did it. To win this title also, it’s unbelievable. Playing for Italy for me has always been so special – to wear this shirt is unbelievable.”