There are defeats, and then there are defeats that feel stitched into the nation’s skin. The Billie Jean King Cup, meant to be tennis’s grand stage women’s team tennis, has once again reminded us that even champions can wobble under the spotlight. Pressure doesn’t just test talent—it exposes its cracks. And for one 31-year-old star, those cracks widened at the worst possible moment.

The recent installment of the Billie Jean King Cup featured Italy and Ukraine in a tight semifinal clash that was filled with excitement and hope. For Ukraine, this was their maiden appearance at the tournament. So it was all the more impressive that Team Ukraine was coming off a historic win over the Spanish in the quarterfinal and was looking to fulfill the dreams of many of the fans in their nation in a tou

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