The Billie Jean King Cup, once the Federation Cup since 1963, remains the crown jewel of women’s team tennis, but this year’s edition left plenty to debate. The ITF’s January announcement that Shenzhen, China, would host the Finals from 2025–2027 was billed as a bold step forward, “expanding the reach of tennis and championing the power of women’s sports,” in Billie Jean King’s own words. Yet, with Italy defending their title in Shenzhen, American ex-pros have raised serious red flags as they believe that scheduling decisions ultimately cost Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and the US squad a real shot at lifting the trophy.
In a recent episode of the Served Podcast, former American tennis stars Steve Johnson and John Isner dove into one of the hottest debated topics in the sport right now: the relocation of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup Finals to neutral venues. Johnson didn’t hold back his thoughts, calling the decision a blow to the atmosphere and fan engagement that define these events. “It’s a bummer. I just think it’s a bummer for the men to have it in Bologna, Italy, you know, coming up. And I think it’s a bummer. It’s even a bigger bummer for the women to have it in Shenzen, China, to have their final,” he said.
He doubled down on the sentiment, adding that finals without a home crowd simply lack the energy that can elevate a tie. “Like, I just don’t feel like that’s right for them, for any team atmosphere to not have a home tie, somebody to have a home tie in a finals match. I think that’s crazy. So, I’m bummed out for all the women involved, but congrats to Italy,” Johnson continued, pointing to the importance of the crowd factor in a sport that thrives on passion.
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John Isner echoed the concern but approached it from a scheduling perspective. “The Billie Jean King Cup has some of the same challenges that the Davis Cup has, right? I mean, you just like it’s all about the schedule,” he said. According to Isner, the grueling tennis calendar makes it difficult for players to peak physically and mentally for events like these, especially when they are staged far from home.
He highlighted the physical nature of tennis, comparing it to other sports to emphasize the toll it takes. “This is so physical. Like it’s not golf out there, you know, like you’re just traveling so much. I’m just seeing what Demon did. It’s crazy,” Isner added, alluding to the travel and scheduling burdens top players face. He acknowledged the logic behind taking the Billie Jean King Cup to Asia, saying, “in order for the Billie Jean King Cup to succeed in what they thought, they needed to have it in Asia, where the tour is now going. But atmosphere-wise would have been better with some sort of home tie for one of the countries.”
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The decision to award Shenzhen hosting rights for three straight years was seen as a strategic step toward globalizing the event. ITF officials stated the move would “foster cultural exchange, celebrate diversity and strengthen connections between athletes and fans worldwide.” The event’s growing global footprint cannot be denied, but the debate about atmosphere and fairness continues to rage.
Italy, the defending champion, once again proved unstoppable, with world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini leading the charge to their fifth Billie Jean King Cup crown. As the host nation, China had earned an automatic spot in the Finals, but the Americans, despite having a strong roster featuring Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend, fell short in crucial moments, leaving many to wonder whether a partisan crowd could have tipped the scales.
On the men’s side, the Davis Cup Final 8 is scheduled to take place in Bologna from 18–23 November. Defending champions Italy aim to leverage their home advantage, while the United States, a 32-time winner yet titleless since 2007, confronts a tough challenge navigating the draw and hostile environment, compounded by a recent defeat to the Czech Republic and Taylor Fritz battling illness during the event.
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With both competitions now centralized, the question remains whether the soul of team tennis is being preserved or quietly slipping away.
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Jessica Pegula voices frustration after Billie Jean King Cup loss
The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup saw Italy successfully defend their crown, overcoming the United States in a hard-fought final to claim back-to-back titles. For the Americans, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, leaving several team members visibly disappointed after falling short in a fixture they had hoped to dominate.
Italy drew first blood as Elisabetta Cocciaretto defeated World No.17 Emma Navarro in the opening singles rubber, immediately putting the United States on the back foot. The victory meant that Jessica Pegula, the US No.1 and World No.7, had no margin for error; a win over Italy’s top-ranked Jasmine Paolini was essential to force a deciding doubles match.
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However, it was Paolini who rose to the occasion, defeating Pegula 6-4, 6-2 and sealing Italy’s second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup title. The victory marked Paolini’s first triumph over Pegula in their last five encounters, breaking the American’s streak of straight-set wins against the Italian. For Pegula, the loss compounded the disappointment of a recent US Open heartbreak, adding yet another tough chapter to her 2025 campaign.
With Italy claiming the title, the United States must now wait another year to pursue their 19th Billie Jean King Cup crown. Led by former World No.1 Lindsay Davenport, Team USA entered the final as favorites, only to see their hopes dashed at the final hurdle despite a strong roster and high expectations.
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“Today wasn’t our day,“ Pegula admitted after the match. “But we still have to be happy to have reached the final. The 4-4 game in the first set tipped the match in Jasmine’s favor, and she then played great tennis in the second set as well. I felt almost in control at the start, but then things didn’t go the way I hoped.” Her words reflected the fine margins that can define team events at the highest level.
Navarro, who fell to Cocciaretto in straight sets, shared Pegula’s sentiment about the day’s struggles but found solace in the team experience. “Today was tough,” she said. “I didn’t play my best tennis, but I had a fantastic week with a great team. It’s a privilege to wear the United States jersey. Every time I step on court, I feel incredible, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. Credit must go to Cocciaretto, who put a lot of pressure on me from the baseline, making me feel uneasy. Elisabetta also served very well, completing her aggressive game plan without too many errors, while I know I didn’t do enough.”
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As the dust settles on this year’s tournament, the United States will look to regroup and return stronger next year. With the venue and conditions once again a challenge, the American women’s team faces a test not only of skill but resilience.
The question now looms: can Team USA overcome the odds and reclaim their place atop the Billie Jean King Cup podium in the next edition?