STARNBERG, September 21, 2025

Italy retained the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge title after an emphatic victory against USA in the final in Shenzhen on Sunday.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto recorded an upset victory over Emma Navarro to put the Italians ahead. Jasmine Paolini then maintained her perfect record this week with a win against Jessica Pegula to score the decisive point for Italy for the second consecutive year.

Match point celebrations with Team Italy @federtennis | #BJKCup pic.twitter.com/DXA6Ibu6Xt

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 21, 2025

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. Today was a really tough match. We’re really happy and proud of ourself, of our team. It’s a great day for Italy,” said Paolini.

Captain Tathiana Garbin and her players were presented with the famous Billie Jean King Cup trophy by ITF President David Haggerty and Billie Jean King herself to an ecstatic reception on court.

“I’m really proud of my players. They play with passion, a lot of personality. All of them, they are a big part of the history,” Garbin said.

The team was also awarded the winners’ cheque for US$2 million in player prize money by Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation at Gainbridge..

Having now won six titles, Italy move clear of Russia and Spain in fourth place on the list for most Billie Jean King Cup titles – only USA (18 titles), Czechia (11) and Australia (seven) have won the competition more often. They are also the first team to win back-to-back Billie Jean King Cup titles since Czechia won 3 consecutive titles in 2014-16.

USA were contesting the Billie Jean King Cup final for the 31st time – but for the first time since 2018, when they finished as runners-up to Czechia in Prague.

Captain Lindsay Davenport said: “It’s been such a great week here. This event was really amazing to be played here in Shenzhen. We all enjoyed our time here. Obviously disappointed with how today went. Really happy this event has found such a great home and we look forward to being back.”

Results Sunday

Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) d. Emma Navarro(USA), 6-4, 6-4

Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d. Jessica Pegula (USA), 6-4, 6-2