'I'm going to fight until the last ball' - Jasmine Paolini eager to lead defending champions Italy at 2025 Billie Jean King Cup

With the quarterfinals of the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup set to kick off this week, defending champions Italy are set to take on China on Tuesday. Italian No.1 Jasmine Paolini has made her intentions clear; fight until the end.

Paolini was granted the Heart Award at last year's event, after leading her home nation to the title following a disappointing loss in the 2023 final. However, the 2024 edition saw Paolini win four of her five matches, allowing Italy to be crowned World champions for the fifth time.

The 29-year old has been impressive this season, winning the WTA 1000 Rome title in front of her home crowd. Additionally, Paolini reached the final at another WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati, losing to six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.

Nonetheless, Paolini has maintained her stay in the top 10, where she sits at World No.8. Furthermore, she and compatriot Sara Errani have formed a formidable duo on the doubles circuit, winning titles at the French Open, Rome and Doha in 2025, as well as a runners-up finish in Berlin.

The team environment is an added bonus, admits Paolini

Ahead of Italy's showdown with China on Tuesday, Paolini revealed her excitement at reuniting with her teammates again after their triumph at last year's event.

"It's great to be back playing the Billie Jean King Cup with the team," said Paolini. "I really like to play in a team. Every time it's [an] honor, of course, to represent Italy in this competition. But everything, it's the same. We are practicing together. We are enjoying the time together. So it's fun. Maybe it's a bit different from a single tournament, but I really like it.
"We hope to play at a good level. If I'm on the court tomorrow I’m going to fight until the last ball and hopefully it can turn out to be a good match for us."

China will be playing at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time. However, they will be without the services of their top star, Qinwen Zheng, who underwent elbow surgery prior to the 2025 US Open.