Italian tennis achieved an extraordinary double triumph last week as both the women’s and men’s teams claimed prestigious team trophies. Competing in Malaga, Spain, the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup victories marked a historic milestone for Italian tennis.
Italian Women Win Billie Jean King Cup
Jasmine Paolini described her victory as a “dream” after leading Italy to their first Billie Jean King Cup title in 11 years. Facing a determined Slovakian team, Paolini clinched the deciding match, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1, to seal a 2-0 victory. Her teammates stormed the court in celebration, capping a week of impressive performances.
Paolini’s leadership was pivotal throughout the tournament, excelling in singles and doubles against Japan and Poland, and securing four wins out of five matches. This victory was particularly significant for a squad still recovering from last year’s loss to Canada in the final.
The Italian team featured Martina Trevisan, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, and 37-year-old Sara Errani, who became the player with the longest gap between Billie Jean King Cup wins, her previous title dating back to 2013.
“Unbelievable year,” said Paolini. “To finish like this, with a title in the Billie Jean King Cup, it’s amazing. I don’t have words to describe it. I’m trying to enjoy every moment and feel lucky to be in this position, with this team. I think we played unbelievably this week.”
Asked about her remarkable 2024 season, which included reaching two Grand Slam finals and winning a WTA 1000 title, Paolini admitted, “Impossible. This year was crazy, and to finish like that, it’s a dream.”
Runners-up Slovakia, the smallest country in the Finals, impressed by defeating Grand Slam nations USA, Australia, and Great Britain. Despite their spirited run, they fell short in their first final since 2002.
Lucia Bronzetti gave Italy an early lead, beating Viktoria Hruncakova 6-2, 6-4. Although Hruncakova showed resilience, Bronzetti’s consistency proved decisive. Paolini then completed the victory with her dominant performance against Sramkova, whose earlier undefeated record in the finals was no match for the Italian star.
Italian captain Tathiana Garbin, who returned after recovering from surgery last year, expressed her pride in the team. “I’m very proud of these girls, these human beings, not just the champions they are. They are really a great team,” she said.
Italian Men Win Davis Cup
On Sunday, Jannik Sinner sealed Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title with a commanding victory over the Netherlands. Sinner defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 6-2, completing a 2-0 triumph after Matteo Berrettini had earlier beaten Botic van de Zandschulp.
“It has been an amazing year. I’m very proud of the whole team,” said Sinner. “There is a lot of work behind it, and I’m very happy to hold this trophy again.”
Sinner, now the world’s No. 1, ended his season with a remarkable 73-6 record, the most wins on the ATP Tour since 2016. Berrettini, who missed last year’s campaign due to injury, played a crucial role, securing Italy’s opening victory.
“We always put our heart on the court,” said Berrettini. “Everybody is giving their best, and that is the secret to our team.”
This win makes Italy the first country since Czechia in 2013 to defend the Davis Cup crown. Captain Filippo Volandri praised his team for their dedication. “I said at the beginning, ‘We want to make history, and history is if you can do it twice’. It happened right away, and I’m so proud of this team.”
Italian tennis has emphatically made its mark on the world stage.
