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Italian tennis is celebrating an extraordinary moment: the women’s national team, led by Tathiana Garbin, has claimed the Billie Jean King Cup, bringing the trophy back to Italy after an 11-year absence. The final in Malaga was a showcase of talent, determination, and team spirit, with standout performances from Jasmine Paolini, Sara Errani, Lucia Bronzetti, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Martina Trevisan, who have written a new chapter in Italian tennis history.
The last victory dated back to 2013, but this year the team proved itself worthy of the great champions of the past, such as Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci, and Sara Errani herself. At 37 years old, Errani took on the role of an experienced leader, contributing not only on the court but also by fostering a close-knit group. Jasmine Paolini, the team’s standout player, led Italy to victory after a remarkable season that included two Grand Slam finals and a rise to fourth place in the world rankings, matching Francesca Schiavone’s 2011 record.
The victory in Malaga is the culmination of a renaissance for Italian women’s tennis, which had experienced difficult years. Much of the credit goes to captain Tathiana Garbin, who has quietly worked to rebuild the team since 2016. After the disappointment of losing the 2023 final against Canada, Garbin faced a personal battle with cancer, overcoming it with the same determination she instilled in her players.
Her leadership was pivotal, especially in tactical decisions: the choice to replace Elisabetta Cocciaretto with Lucia Bronzetti proved decisive, as Bronzetti played a key role in both the semifinal against Poland and the final against Slovakia. However, it was the collective effort of the Azzurre that made the difference, bringing Italian tennis back to the global stage.
