Italy’s Jasmine Paolini celebrates ‘unbelievable’ year after BJK Cup glory
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Italy's Jasmine Paolini (left) celebrates with her teammates after defeating Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova.
PHOTO: AFP
MALAGA – Jasmine Paolini celebrated an “unbelievable year” for both herself and Italian tennis after driving the country to Billie Jean King Cup glory on Nov 20.
The world No. 4 enjoyed a stunning season, finishing as runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, winning her second career title in Dubai and then triumphing with Italy in doubles at the Olympics and again in Malaga.
She beat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 to complete a 2-0 win for Italy, following Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova in the opening match.
Meanwhile in the men’s game, Italy’s Jannik Sinner is the world No. 1 and won the Australian Open, US Open as well as the ATP Finals last week.
“It’s an unbelievable year for Italian tennis and it’s so good for our sport in our country,” Paolini said.
“We have a lot of fans of tennis in Italy now, tennis is growing a lot. It’s really good to have Jannik as world No. 1, he’s an example for everybody. It was an unbelievable year I have to say.”
Italy were beaten by Canada in the 2023 BJK Cup final and Paolini said at that point it would have been “impossible” for her to imagine her success this season.
“This year was crazy, to finish it like that – it’s a dream,” added the 28-year-old.
“At the beginning of the week I didn’t think we’d end the week with a trophy, it’s always tough this competition, with big matches...
“I’m glad that we were able to do it, it’s not easy after last year we lost in the final... last year Canada played amazing tennis, this year we played amazing tennis – we deserve it I think.”
The Italians, captained by Tathiana Garbin, defeated Iga Swiatek’s Poland as well as Japan on the way to winning the tournament dubbed the “World Cup of Tennis”.
“It’s a dream come true... I’m so proud of the (players) and this journey was incredible,” said Garbin.
“(They) never give up and stayed focused and they still keep trying to work to be better people and players.”
The team were wearing blue jackets which were given to the winners by former women’s tennis great Billie Jean King herself at the trophy ceremony.
“We exchanged jackets, I give her mine and she gives me this one,” added Garbin.
“It’s an honour to talk to Billie, she’s a legend... she’s the one who changed the game. It’s an honour to have her here, she changed the way women are treated, not just in sport but in all the situations.”
Slovakia, who won the competition in 2002, had never lost a BJK Cup tie in Spain.
The underdogs defeated the United States, Australia and Britain in a stunning run to the final, but fell short in the end.
“I feel so sad now, disappointed, but all respect to (Italy), for what they did. Maybe in a few days we will enjoy that we are second and take something for the future from those matches,” a deflated Sramkova told reporters. AFP, REUTERS
