If you were watching the Billie Jean King Cup 2024 in Malaga, you didn't just see tennis. You saw a shifting of the tectonic plates in the women’s game. For years, the team format was dominated by the usual suspects, but November 2024 proved that momentum is a terrifying thing when it’s wearing Italian colors.
Italy won. They didn’t just win; they essentially steamrolled a gritty Slovakian team 2-0 in the final to claim their first title in eleven years. It was redemption. Pure and simple. After losing to Canada in the 2023 final, Jasmine Paolini and her crew looked like they were on a sanctioned mission to ensure history didn't repeat itself.
The Paolini Factor and the Italian Restoration
Jasmine Paolini is basically having the best "breakthrough" year for a 28-year-old in the history of the sport. Honestly, calling it a breakthrough feels like an understatement. She reached two Grand Slam finals and then showed up in Malaga to lead her team with the kind of clinical efficiency you’d expect from a seasoned veteran.
She took down Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 in the deciding match. It was fast. It was loud. It was over in 65 minutes.
But it wasn't just about Paolini. Lucia Bronzetti was the secret weapon. Captain Tathiana Garbin—who, let’s not forget, was recovering from tumor surgery just a year prior—made a gutsy call to start Bronzetti. It paid off. Bronzetti handled Viktoria Hruncakova in straight sets to set the table.
Why Slovakia Was the Story Nobody Saw Coming
You’ve gotta feel for Slovakia, but also, wow. They were the ultimate underdogs. The smallest nation in the finals, they basically played the role of "Giant Killer" for a week straight.
- They knocked out the USA.
- They sent Australia packing.
- They stopped a surging Great Britain team.
Rebecca Sramkova had a 100% winning record leading up to the final, having beaten big names like Danielle Collins and Katie Boulter. By the time she hit the court against Paolini, the tank was just empty. You could see it. The forehand was shaky, the nerves were high, and the Italian pressure was relentless.
The Great Britain "What If"
Everyone in the UK was talking about Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter. And for a second, it looked like they might actually do it. Raducanu looked the best she has in years, playing with a level of freedom that reminded everyone why she won a Major. She didn't drop a set against Germany or Canada.
The quarter-final against Canada was a statement. Raducanu dismantled Rebecca Marino, and Boulter took down Leylah Fernandez. It felt like the Brits were destined for the final. Then they ran into the Slovakian wall in the semis. It was a heartbreaker, especially because it felt like the first time in a decade the British team had all their stars aligned and healthy.
A Quick Look at the Path to the Title
Italy didn't have an easy road, even if the final scoreline looked comfortable.
First, they had to squeeze past Japan in the quarter-finals. That one went down to a deciding doubles match where the Olympic gold medal duo of Paolini and the legendary 37-year-old Sara Errani did what they do best.
Then came the semi-final against Poland. Everyone wanted to see Paolini vs. Iga Swiatek. We got it. Swiatek actually won that singles rubber in a three-set grind, but Italy’s depth was too much. Once again, it went to doubles. Once again, Errani and Paolini were untouchable.
The gap between Errani’s BJK Cup titles is now the longest in history (2013 to 2024). That’s not just longevity; that’s basically defying the laws of professional sports.
The Changing Face of the BJK Cup
The 2024 Billie Jean King Cup felt different because the atmosphere in Malaga was electric. We’re talking over 34,000 fans showing up across the week. That’s a massive jump from previous years. People are finally "getting" the vibe of the World Cup of Tennis.
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There’s a real intensity when players are wearing their flag. You saw it with Iga Swiatek, who skipped the finals in previous years but made it a priority in 2024. Even though Poland fell short, her presence elevated the entire event.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Format
A lot of casual fans think the BJK Cup is just an exhibition. It’s definitely not. The prize money for the winners was $2.4 million—the same as what the men get for the Davis Cup.
The pressure is also different. When Paolini talks about "struggling" with the team format in the past, she’s being real. Playing for yourself is one thing. Playing for your teammates who are sitting three feet away on a bench is a completely different mental beast.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're following the tour after the Billie Jean King Cup 2024, there are a few things you should keep an eye on:
Watch the Italian Momentum
Italy isn't a one-hit wonder. With Paolini firmly in the Top 5 and a supporting cast of Bronzetti and Cocciaretto who are only getting better, they are the team to beat for the next 24 months.
The Raducanu Trajectory
If Emma Raducanu stays healthy—and that's a big if—her performance in Malaga suggests she’s ready to return to the Top 20. Her serve looked more robust, and her movement on the indoor hard courts was elite.
The Underdog Blueprint
Slovakia proved that you don't need three Top 10 players to reach a final. You need one player on a hot streak (Sramkova) and a doubles pair that doesn't blink. Expect more "small" nations to use this high-variance strategy in 2025.
Schedule Awareness
The 2025 Finals are moving to Shenzhen, China. This is going to change the surface speed and the travel fatigue for players coming off the WTA Finals. It might favor the big hitters who can handle the humidity and a different ball bounce.
The 2024 season ended with "Volare" playing over the loudspeakers in Malaga. It was a fitting tribute to a team that played with more heart than anyone else. Italy is back on top, and for now, the rest of the world is just trying to keep up.
To keep track of how these teams evolve, you should monitor the 2025 Qualifiers taking place in April. This is where the next crop of underdogs will try to replicate Slovakia’s run, and where the heavyweights will have to prove Malaga wasn't a fluke.