Italy have won the last two Billie Jean King Cup tournaments — but their biggest test is coming

Italian tennis has been enjoying a golden era as of late. The women have capitalised on this success on the big stage having won the prior two Billie Jean King Cups (BJK Cup). However, their reign of dominance is under threat in Shenzhen with a crop of new challengers seeking glory for themselves.

The BJK Cup Finals will take place at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in China from September 21-27. Eight nations will lock horns in a knockout format. Only one can remain, and that team will lift the coveted prize.

Each contest will consist of two singles matches followed by a doubles showdown if necessary. The nation with the most wins advances to the next stage, while the others exit. Italy are the two-time reigning champion and will hope to be the first country to win three on the spin since Czechia between 2014 and 2016.

Italy enters Shenzhen as the team everyone else has to beat. But being the defending champions is very different from being guaranteed another title.

After losing the 2023 final to Canada, the Italians were on a mission. Slovakia were dealt with in Malaga as they secured a first BJK Cup since 2010 and backed it up with a stunning triumph against the fancied USA this time last year.

Leading from the front is Jasmine Paolini. Her form when representing her country has been exceptional, having won 10 of her last 11 matches. While not currently at her best when competing on the WTA Tour, this form can be neutralised when in a completely different arena.

That being said, fellow singles star Elisabetta Cocciaretto is one of the big occasions. She won two of her three singles matches in the competition last year and is the Italian No.2. After starting the year in blistering fashion, her form has waned throughout the year. Definitely the weaker of the two singles players, that has not been a point of concern for Italy, and that has been proven by their form.

They can back it up with one of the best doubles players in the world, Sara Errani. Partnered with Paolini, who is a tidy player in this category as well, they have enjoyed a lot of success together away from the BJK Cup scene, winning the 2025 Roland Garros title while also partnering at the WTA Finals. Also in the squad are the Italian No.4 Lucia Bronzetti and the young and exciting talent Tyra Grant, who will learn and gain so much experience from this exciting venture.

This is a formidable weapon to have. Italy has to make sure that at least one of the single rubbers is won. If a doubles match is called upon, they are a very deadly duo. Added to that, these players know each other inside out, and the chemistry between them is very strong, linking to a brilliant bond that boosts them on and off the court.

However, at this level there is no room for mistakes. One slip-up and their title hopes could be out of the window. With some other nations putting forward very strong singles talents, this is where the Italians could falter. This is also partly in turn to Paolini’s underwhelming campaign. Still a balanced and well-rounded team, that spark of quality will be relied upon if they are going to defend their title with the challengers coming.

A quarter-final date against the hosts is Italy's first task. They have been made so much more dangerous with the rejuvenated Zheng Qinwen all guns blazing following a resurgent US Open quarter-finals run. She and Wang Xiyu are China's main singles threats, but the depth is most certainly not as good as Italy's. If it does go to a doubles match, Italy will be the favourites, but they have to avoid any slip-up beforehand.

The winners will face either Ukraine or Belgium in the semi-finals. Ukraine are one of the teams to watch out for, with their singles pairing of Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk frightening. Lyudmyla Kichenok will be crucial if doubles is called upon, but it could all be over in the singles. Svitolina and Kostyuk have enjoyed brilliant years on the WTA Tour. Both have won a WTA 1000 title and reached the semi-final of a major event, two in Kostyuk's case. Dayana Yastremska and Oleksandra Oliynykova provide vital depth, and that could be one of the favourites for the title.

Belgium may beg to differ. They return to the event after a three-year absence. This came in the form of a huge shock, knocking out the USA. Albeit it was a weaker USA squad, that should not shine away from how much of a threat they could pose. No Elise Mertens is a bitter blow. The singles and doubles specialist would have been a pivotal figure in their squad and would have left them lacking that extra bit of quality. They could fall vulnerable against Ukraine in the singles, with younger talents Hanne Vandewinkel and Jeline Vandromme looking to seize the opportunity, captained by Iga Swiatek's former coach Wim Fissette.

A certain World No.1, Elena Rybakina, will lead Kazakhstan out into battle after qualifying for a second year in a row. After her US Open title run, the three-time Grand Slam champion is in electric form and the obvious favourite whoever she plays against. Yulia Putintseva will bring great experience, while the doubles World No.4, Anna Danilina, only boosts the Kazakhs' chances even more, having that important depth in both singles and doubles.

Spain, similar to Belgium, may not be brimming with quality but should not be dismissed. They can call upon the talents of Cristina Bucsa and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, but both pale in comparison compared to Rybakina. 20-year-old Kaitlin Quevedo will be thrown into the deep end while they can fall back on Sara Sorribes Tormo for the doubles.

The Czech Republic could be Italy's biggest competition. A highly anticipated contest would not be until the final, but that is if they both get there. Wimbledon finalists Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova headline. Marie Bouzkova can be felt hard done by to be the third choice, showcasing the ridiculous depth they have in singles. On top of all that, the doubles World No.1 and recent US Open victor Katerina Siniakova can carry them in the doubles with her accomplished nature on court, a daunting thought for their competitors.

That leaves Great Britain, who in truth were a surprise to even qualify. A titanic away day in Australia resulted in an unbelievable win despite not having Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter or Sonay Kartal to call upon. The latter two will be available for the Finals, but caution around Kartal, who has not played competitive tennis since Indian Wells. Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage and 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic will also join up with the team, but on paper it could already be too much of an uphill task for a Great Britain team who has some doubts surrounding it.

Italy can most certainly win this title for the third time on the bounce, but it will not be simple. For a start, they desperately need Paolini to find her prior self on court following a tough season which has seen her drop out of the top 10 in the world. Cocciaretto also needs to step up, especially if Paolini's woes continue. Errani and Paolini are their secret weapon if it comes to doubles, but that is a big if, especially if Svitolina and Kostyuk stand in their way in the semi-finals.

The firepower of Ukraine and Czech Republic makes them the standout teams, while Rybakina coming in for Kazakhstan boosts their title chances no end.

At the end of the day, the BJK Cup can be a very unpredictable tournament. It is not all about having the best lineup. Team spirit and solidarity are hugely important and one of the key factors towards Italy's success in 2024 and 2025. Winning a brace of titles has made them into serious challengers; a third would put them among the great BJK Cup teams and would be not just a defining moment for Italian tennis but for the competition as a whole.