Billie Jean King Cup 2023: Italy Aims for Three-Peat in Shenzhen

The world title in women’s team tennis is back on the line, and this time the spotlight falls on Shenzhen.

From Sept. 22-27, the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena becomes the center of the Billie Jean King Cup universe, where a record entry of 148 nations has been whittled down to eight: Italy, Great Britain, Ukraine, Spain, Czechia, Kazakhstan, Belgium and China. One week, one venue, one trophy that every player in the women’s game understands carries more than just ranking points.

Italy chase a slice of history

Italy arrive as the team everyone is hunting.

The two-time defending champions are not just protecting a title; they’re chasing a dynasty. Led by Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, the Olympic gold-medal doubles pair from Paris 2024, Italy are aiming to become the first nation since Czechia from 2014-16 to win three consecutive Billie Jean King Cup crowns.

They will have to do it the hard way. Their quarterfinal draw could not be more hostile: China, on home soil, under the primetime lights in Shenzhen.

China’s charge is fronted by Olympic women’s singles champion Zheng Qinwen, who has surged into the sport’s elite and recently powered her way from qualifying all the way to the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Her presence alone guarantees that Italy’s title defense starts at full throttle. There will be no easing into this campaign.

A star-studded field, missing a new No. 1

The tournament has lost one of its biggest individual storylines before a ball is struck.

Elena Rybakina, poised to make her debut as World No. 1 at this event, has withdrawn for Kazakhstan with the Achilles tendon injury that dogged her during her U.S. Open title run. It’s a major blow for Kazakhstan, who must now rely on the grit and experience of Yulia Putintseva and doubles specialist Anna Danilina to carry their hopes.

They are not the only heavyweight diminished. Team USA, so often a central figure in this competition, never made it to Shenzhen after falling in the April qualifiers. The Americans are out; the door swings open for others.

The absence of Rybakina and the U.S. might suggest a diluted field. It is anything but.

Czechia arrive armed with World No. 6 Linda Noskova and No. 8 Karolina Muchova, backed by the depth of Marie Bouzkova, Katerina Siniakova and Sara Bejlek under captain Barbora Strycova. Ukraine counter with No. 7 Elina Svitolina and Anhelina Kalinina, plus doubles force Lyudmyla Kichenok. This is a Finals packed with WTA top-10 talent and Grand Slam pedigree, spread across nations hungry for a breakthrough.

Quarterfinals: pressure from the first ball

Every tie in Shenzhen is a sprint. Two singles matches, then a deciding doubles rubber only if needed. Best-of-three sets, first to two wins advances. There is no room to play your way into form.

The schedule sets the tone:

• Tuesday, Sept. 22: Great Britain vs Czechia | 5 a.m. ET
• Wednesday, Sept. 23: Spain vs Kazakhstan | 5 a.m. ET
• Wednesday, Sept. 23: Ukraine vs Belgium | 10 p.m. ET
• Thursday, Sept. 24: China vs Italy | 5 a.m. ET

Great Britain, captained by Anne Keothavong, open against a loaded Czech side. Katie Boulter leads a British squad that also features Harriet Dart, Sonay Kartal, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage. They face a Czech team that can mix and match singles and doubles options with rare flexibility.

Spain, guided by Carla Suarez Navarro, send a balanced group: Cristina Bucsa, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera and Sara Sorribes Tormo. Their tie with Kazakhstan has a very different feel now that Rybakina is absent, but Putintseva’s competitive fire and Danilina’s doubles prowess keep Kazakhstan dangerous.

Ukraine’s clash with Belgium carries its own edge. Svitolina and Kalinina headline for Ukraine, with Katarina Zavatska and Lyudmyla Kichenok rounding out the squad after Marta Kostyuk’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury. Belgium, captained by Wim Fissette, turn to Hanne Vandewinkel, Greet Minnen, Jana Otzipka, Magali Kempen and Lara Salden after Jeline Vandromme’s withdrawal.

Then comes the blockbuster: China vs Italy on Thursday morning, a tie that feels worthy of a final. Zheng Qinwen leads a Chinese team captained by Jie Zheng, alongside Shuai Zhang, Xiyu Wang, Hanyu Guo and Xinyu Jiang. Across the net: Paolini, Errani, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti and Tyra Grant under captain Tathiana Garbin.

The winners move into a weekend that will test depth, resilience and nerve.

The road to Sunday

The bracket is simple, the stakes anything but.

• Friday, Sept. 25: Winner of Great Britain vs Czechia vs Winner of China vs Italy | 5 a.m. ET
• Saturday, Sept. 26: Winner of Spain vs Kazakhstan vs Winner of Ukraine vs Belgium | 5 a.m. ET
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Championship match | 5 a.m. ET

Every tie follows the same template: two singles, then doubles if required. One bad hour can flip an entire campaign; one inspired doubles pairing can rescue a nation.

Fans can follow every point on billiejeankingcup.com and through the official World Cup of Tennis app, but the real story will be written on the hard courts in Shenzhen—where a record field has been stripped down to eight nations, one trophy and a single question.

Can Italy complete their three-peat, or is this the year a new champion rips the crown from their grasp?