Jasmine Paolini has promised to "fight until the last ball" as Italy prepare to begin their Billie Jean King Cup title defence.

Italy bounced back from the disappointment of losing the 2023 final to claim their victory in the 2024 showpiece, beating Slovakia 2-0.

Paolini was the star for Italy, winning the Heart Award for her performances in Malaga, as she won four of her five matches, only losing to Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.

She comes into the 2025 edition of the tournament in fine form, having won her third WTA career title in Rome, while also reaching the Cincinnati Open final.

In doubles, she has proven a formidable opponent with Sara Errani, with the pair winning doubles titles at the French Open, Rome and Doha.

And Paolini is now excited to be getting back together with her national team ahead of Italy's quarter-final against China on Tuesday.

"It's great to be back playing the Billie Jean King Cup with the team. I really like to play in a team," she said.

World Champions vs the hosts

Italy and China get the 2025 #BJKCup Finals underway 🇮🇹🇨🇳@1XBet_Eng | September 16, 17:00 CST pic.twitter.com/Hanqo6jRBI

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 15, 2025

"Every time, it's [an] honour, of course, to represent Italy in this competition. But everything it's the same. We are practising 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 are set to play in the Billie Jean King finals for the first time but will be without Zheng Qinwen after she underwent elbow surgery prior to the US Open.

Even without the Olympic champion, Paolini is wary of the threat that China will pose to Italy.

"I've always lost against her [Zheng]. I know about her injury, but I think she's on the way back," Paolini said.

"China are a very strong team. They're the hosts and will have the crowd behind them.

"But we're also a good team, and we hope to play three good matches. We'll obviously give it our all, but there's no doubt it will be a very tough match."