Voting Opens For 2013 Fed Cup Heart Awards

Written by: Staff on 6th March 2013

Voting Opens For 2013 Fed Cup Heart Awards |

The ITF announced a shortlist of ten players to receive the first four Fed Cup Heart Awards of 2013. Awards will be presented in four categories based on performances in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties, and the three Zone Group I events at the beginning of February.

Julia Goerges (GER), Daniela Hantuchova (SVK), Ayumi Morita (JPN) and Roberta Vinci (ITA) have all been shortlisted for the World Group/World Group II award. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) and Heather Watson (GBR) have been shortlisted for Europe/Africa; Sharon Fichman (CAN) and Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) for Americas; and Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) and Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) for Asia/Oceania.

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 March 4-29, is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the four winners, who will all receive a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity. The winners will be announced during the week of the Fed Cup World Group semifinals and play-offs on April 20-21.

The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA’s Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup Final. 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 players will be recognised in 2013.

©Daily Tennis News Wire