The ITF today announced a shortlist of ten players to receive the first four Fed Cup Heart Awards of 2015. 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.
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU), Kristina Mladenovic (FRA), Andrea Petkovic (GER) and Arantxa Rus (NED) have all been shortlisted for the World Group/World Group II award. Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) and Ivana Jorovic (SRB) have been shortlisted for Europe/Africa; Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) and Marcela Zacarias (MEX) for Americas; and Kurumi Nara (JPN) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 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 30 March – 3 April, 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 by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals and play-off ties on 18-19 April.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The Fed Cup Heart Award is entering its seventh year and continues to recognise the outstanding contributions made by players to their country and the competition. Fed Cup by BNP Paribas celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF centenary year, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all the players during this time who have helped Fed Cup grow to enjoy the success that it does today.”
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 recognise 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 2015. To cast your vote, visit the Fed Cup website
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 99 nations entered in 2015. The event celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF’s centenary year. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Fed Cup. Adecco (Official HR Sponsor) is an international sponsor and beIN SPORTS is the Official Global Media Rights Partner. For the latest news, visit http://www.fedcup.com, http://www.fedcup.com/es, http://www.twitter.com/fedcup, http://www.facebook.com/FedCup, http://www.Weibo.com/fedcupofficial and http://www.fedcup.tv.
PLAYER INFORMATION
World Group / World Group II
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
With Romania trailing Spain 2-1, defeated Silvia Soler-Espinosa, then partnered Monica Niculescu to victory over Anabel Medina Garrigues and Garbine Muguruza.
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
Brought into singles on the second day, defeated Sara Errani, then partnered Caroline Garcia to a deciding doubles victory over Errani and Roberta Vinci.
Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Scored dramatic three-set victories over Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova to give Germany a 3-1 winning lead over Australia.
Arantxa Rus (NED)
Ranked No. 230, upset No. 50 Magdalena Rybarikova and No. 59 Anna Schmiedlova to help Netherlands defeat Slovakia.
Europe/Africa Zone Group I
Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)
Won all three singles rubbers for Turkey, upsetting the higher-ranked Elina Svitolina and Heather Watson.
Ivana Jorovic (SRB)
Won all three singles rubbers on her debut as Serbia qualified for the World Group II play-offs.
Americas Zone Group I
Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Won all seven singles and doubles rubbers as Paraguay qualified for the World Group II play-offs.
Marcela Zacarias (MEX)
Won all three singles rubbers as Mexico narrowly lost out to Paraguay for a place in the promotional play-offs.
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
Kurumi Nara (JPN)
Led Japan’s qualification for the World Group II play-offs, defeating Yaroslava Shvedova in a dramatic promotional play-off singles rubber.
Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
At the age of 37, won four of her five singles and doubles rubbers for Thailand, and has now played 57 ties for her country.
VALUE OF CHEQUES
$10,000: World Group semifinals winner (x1)
$6,000: World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1)
$1,000: Zone Group I winners (x3)
JUDGING PANEL
Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA), ITF President
Sabine Appelmans (BEL), former Fed Cup player/captain
Mercedes Paz (ARG), former Fed Cup player
Craig Gabriel (AUS), international journalist
Sandra Harwitt (USA), international journalist
Corinne Dubreuil (FRA), international photographer
Ray Giubilo (ITA), international photographer
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