Voting opens for 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Awards

Written by: Staff on 2nd March 2011

Voting opens for 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Awards

Kim Clijsters (BEL), 2011 Australian Open Women's Singles Champion |

The ITF today announced a shortlist of ten players to receive the first four Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Awards of 2011. Awards will be presented in four categories based on performances in the Fed Cup World Group and World Group II first round ties, and the three Zone Group I events at the beginning of February.

Kim Clijsters (BEL), Bojana Jovanovski (SRB), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) and Flavia Pennetta (ITA) have all been shortlisted for the World Group/World Group II award. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) and Arantxa Rus (NED) have been shortlisted for Europe/Africa; Bianco Botto (PAR) and Florencia Molinero (ARG) for Americas; and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) and Ayumi Morita (JPN) for Asia/Oceania.

The shortlist has been compiled by the Heart Award judging panel consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a mixture of former players and members of the media. A public vote is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winners, with voting running from 1-22 March. All four winners will receive a silver Baccarat bracelet and a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity.

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award continues to recognise the valuable contributions made by players to their country and the competition. We once again saw some outstanding ties last month, and all the shortlisted players played a vital part in their nation’s success.”

The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award is a joint initiative between the ITF and BNP Paribas. It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of six players will be recognised in 2011.

Topics: bnp