Voting Begins For Final Fed Cup Heart Award

Written by: Staff on 9th October 2012

Voting Begins For Final Fed Cup Heart Award

epa03381178 Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic hits a return to Marion Bartoli of France during their match on the seventh day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

The ITF announced that Petra Kvitova (CZE), Lucie Safarova (CZE), Ana Ivanovic (SRB) and Jelena Jankovic (SRB) have been shortlisted for the last Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award of 2012. All four players competed in the World Group semifinals in April and helped their nation reach the Final, which will see Czech Re public defend its title against Serbia at the O2 Arena in Prague on November 3-4.

The players were shortlisted by the Heart Award judging panel, consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a mixture of former players and members of the international media. A public vote, running on October 8-26, is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winner, who will receive a check for $10,000 to be donated to her chosen charity. The winner will be announced in Prague during the lead-up to the Final.

The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award is a joint initiative between BNP Paribas and the ITF. It aims to recognize players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of five Heart Awards are being presented in 2012. Earlier in the year, Daniela Hantuchova (SVK), Sofia Arvidsson (SWE), Catalina Castano (COL) and Li Na (CHN) were all recognised.

Kvitova and Jankovic are both bidding to become the first player to win two Heart Awards, having received the honour in 2011 and 2010 respectively.

To cast your vote, visit the Fed Cup website.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Ana Ivanovic, Fed Cup, Fed Cup Heart Award, Jelena Jankovic, Lucie Safarova, Petra Kvitova, women tennis news