Billie Jean King Cup 2024 finals: Final preview and how to watch Italy vs Slovakia live
Will it be last year's finalists Italy or dark horses Slovakia who lift the Billie Jean King Cup? Find out everything to know about the final in Málaga, Spain.
Tennis
Who will be crowned the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup champions on Wednesday, 20 November?
The final of the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup 2024 finals is upon us and with a mouth-watering tie in store. Italy have stormed to consecutive finals and are hungry for glory, while Slovakia are back for the first time in 22 years after a fairytale run to the final.
This is the final women’s tennis event of the 2024 season and the coronation of the new world champions, taking over the reigns from Canada after they were knocked out this year by Great Britain.
Here is everything you need to know about the BJK Cup 2024 Final.
Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Final – can Italy go one step further?
Italy were beaten finalists in 2023 yet this may be the year that they end their 11-year title drought.
Spearheaded by the Olympic women’s doubles champions - world number four Jasmine Paolini and the experienced Sara Errani - the Ragazzi pair won the decisive point in both the quarter-final and semi-final victories.
Indeed, Paolini-Errani have flexed their muscles and relied on their deep connection to pull Italy through, as they came from behind in their last eight tie against Japan.
Their doubles display in the semi-final against Poland however stands out among the rest.
Paolini returned to court just half an hour after a mammoth three-set defeat to Iga Swiatek (who also played the doubles), and backed by trusted partner Errani, they go the job done in straight sets past midnight in a thrilling decider.
“The bench full of the team was supporting us, and it helped me with the energy, of course,” Paolini replied to Olympics.com in the press conference after the semi-final. “When you play for your nation, you have also an extra motivation.”
Sara Errani (left) and Jasmine Paolini in Billie Jean King cup action.
Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Final – Slovakia on the verge of greatness
Slovakia arguably had the toughest run in of any team at the BJK Cup knockout stages, yet the 2002 champions have risen to the occasion and pulled off upset after upset.
First it was a comeback win against the USA, settled in a tantalising final set tiebreak in the doubles clash. Slovakia then defeated Australia 2-0 in the quarter-finals which saw Rebecca Sramkova win her second singles match in three days.
Great Britain lay ahead in the final four as US Open winner Emma Raducanu took the opening match. Despite also losing the first set of the second match, Slovakia dug deep to win four consecutive sets without reply and stun the Brits.
Few expected the Slovaks to make it all the way to Wednesday’s final, yet they have already defied expectations and now lie a step way from writing history.
“Absolutely [a] special moment for our country, for our players, for tennis in Slovakia,” captain Matej Liptak said after the semi-final victory.
“It's so many years when we won it once only, and personally me, I was so close to be in the final in one match already.”
Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Final – schedule and how to watch live
The final of the Billie Jean King Cup will take place on Wednesday, 20 November at 5pm CET at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.
Tennis Channel will show the BJK Cup 2024 finals globally in regions such as the United States and central Europe, though territorial restrictions may apply.
Nine & BeIN Connect are sharing the rights in Australia, while UK-based fans can watch the finals on BBC Sport.
The full list of broadcasters is available here.