BJK Cup: Italy crowned world champions

Lucia Bronzetti claimed the opening point of the final tie with a 6-2, 6-4 result against Viktoria Hruncakova before Jasmine Paolini clinched it for the Italian with a dominating 6-2, 6-1 result against an in-form Rebecca Sramkova.

It is Italy’s fifth BJK Cup title, and first since 2013, and it came with a $2.4 million cheque and iconic Tory Burch-designed ‘Billie Blue’ jackets, which were presented to the Italian team players by Billie Jean King herself during the trophy ceremony.

In a beautiful moment, Garbin gave King her Italy jacket in exchange.

Doing it for Tathi

It was a full circle moment for the Italians, not just because they fell short in the final to the Canadians 12 months ago.

Last year, after the BJK Cup final, Italy team captain Tathiana Garbin revealed she was battling a rare stomach cancer and was going to undergo a second procedure to remove it.

The entire BJK Cup team spent time with her in the hospital, supporting her, and they were determined to bring the trophy home, for Italy, and for their captain.

"It feels amazing. It's a big competition. You play for your country, you play for your team, for the players, but also for all the staff that's behind the scenes," said Paolini.

"For Tathiana, last year was a tough moment in this period. We are glad that we are all here with the trophy. It's a plus. The important thing is that she's healthy, she's okay now with us, and this trophy is a plus."

Garbin said her being in Malaga for the BJK Cup was already "a gift" and she wanted to support her players in every way she could, after all the support they showed her through her illness.

"I have all the team behind me, and that's why on the bench I try to give courage and to support them, because it's what they have done for me in the tough moments," said Garbin.

"I'm very glad to be here. I'm very proud of this these girls, proud of these human beings, not just the champions they are. They are really a great team."

‘Unbelievable’ year for Paolini

After starting her 2024 campaign ranked 30 in the world, Paolini rocketed up the charts, winning the WTA 1000 title in Dubai, reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, securing Olympic gold in doubles alongside Sara Errani, qualifying for the WTA Finals in singles and doubles, ending the year at a career-high world No.4 in singles and now being crowned world champion with Italy.

It is a banner season that has gone beyond her wildest dreams.

“Unbelievable year. A crazy year. I don’t know, to finish like this with the BJK Cup title, it’s amazing. I don’t have words to describe it,” said the 28-year-old Paolini.

“I’m trying just to enjoy every moment and it’s important to understand where you are. I feel lucky to be part of this team. I’m really happy this year we could bring the trophy home again.”

Lucia steps up

Bronzetti had never played a singles match at the BJK Cup prior to this week but rose to the occasion when Garbin called upon her for singles duty against Poland and Slovakia.

The 25-year-old went two for two, impressing in her victories over Poland’s Magda Linette and Slovakia’s Hruncakova.

On Wednesday, Bronzetti grabbed the opening set in 40 minutes and rallied back from 2-4 down in the second to complete a straight-sets triumph over Hruncakova.

Errani grateful for the opportunity

She hadn’t played in the BJK Cup since 2019 but veteran Italian Sara Errani fit right back in, winning both doubles matches she contested this week to help the team score tie wins over Japan and Poland.

The 37-year-old holds the records for most overall BJK Cup matches won by an Italian player and most BJK Cup ties contested by an Italian player.

“If I can help them just a little bit for me, it’s amazing. It’s been a really good week for us. I enjoyed it a lot. In the past maybe I was more nervous, this time I was not that much nervous. I have to thank Tathi for the opportunity to get back on the team,” said the Olympic gold medallist.

Heroic effort from Slovakia

At the start of the competition, Slovakia captain Matej Liptak said they were hoping to spring a surprise at these BJK Cup Finals.

“We have no expectations. We just go for a big challenge. For us, it’s a really big honour and there is a special feeling that we are here. I hope that we can make a surprise,” he said.

They did indeed. Slovakia started by upsetting a Danielle Collins-led USA team in the opening round, before knocking out Australia and Great Britain in the quarters and semis, respectively. That’s three Grand Slam nations in three consecutive ties.

Hruncakova entered the final on Wednesday having won seven of her last eight matches in the competition, while Sramkova backed up her terrific form from the WTA circuit by defeating Collins, Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, and Great Britain’s Katie Boulter en route to the championship match.

"For now, these emotions are a little bit sad, but I think we need to look at the whole picture, and what we did here. It's absolutely amazing, and I think we need maybe a couple of days to actually realise it," said Hruncakova.

"We all gonna realise that this was something before the tournament, if someone would tell this to us, we would be thrilled. I think it's a lot of positive things we're gonna realise in a little bit."