The ITF has announced a shortlist of four players to receive the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2016. Hsu Ching-Wen (TPE), Angelique Kerber (GER), Garbine Muguruza (ESP) and Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) have all been shortlisted for the Fed Cup play-offs award for players competing in the World Group and World Group II play-offs in […]
via Voting Opens For Latest Fed Cup Heart Award — newfanzoneblog
The ITF has announced a shortlist of four players to receive the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2016. Hsu Ching-Wen (TPE), Angelique Kerber (GER), Garbine Muguruza (ESP) and Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) have all been shortlisted for the Fed Cup play-offs award for players competing in the World Group and World Group II play-offs in […]
via Voting Opens For Latest Fed Cup Heart Award — newfanzoneblog
The ITF yesterday announced that Lucie Safarova has won the final Fed Cup Heart Award of 2015 in recognition of her performance during Czech Republic’s semifinal victory against France in Ostrava in April.
Safarova has represented her country in Fed Cup for the past 12 years having made her debut in 2004 at the age of 17. She has played a total of 19 ties, and been a member of three Fed Cup Final winning teams in 2011, 2012 and 2014. In April’s semifinal, she gave Czech Republic a winning start against France, saving five match points to defeat Caroline Garcia 46 76(1) 61 in the opening rubber.
Safarova was presented with a cheque for US$10,000, which will be donated to her chosen charity, Movement Without Help Foundation, a Czech charity that supports people with spinal injuries and illnesses. The presentation was made on Friday by ITF President David Haggerty after the draw ceremony for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Czech Republic and Russia at City Hall in Prague.
Safarova said: “It’s such great news. I’m really happy. It’s an honour to get such a prize and I would like to thank all the fans who voted for me. You always play with you heart in Fed Cup and I love to play for my team. It means a lot for me to win this award.”
Safarova was shortlisted for the award alongside Petra Kvitova (CZE), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) and Elena Vesnina (RUS). All four players competed in the World Group semifinals in April and helped their nation reach the Final, which is taking place at the O2 Arena in Prague on 14-15 November.
The players were shortlisted by the Heart Award judging panel, consisting of ITF President David Haggerty and a mixture of former players and members of the international media. A public vote, which ran on 26-29 October, was held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winner.
A total of six Heart Awards have been presented in 2015. Safarova follows in the footsteps of Flavia Pennetta (ITA), Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU), Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR), Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA), who were honoured earlier this year.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Lucie for her longstanding commitment to the Czech Republic team and some outstanding performances. She has played a key role in her team’s success in recent years, during which she has demonstrated her fighting qualities and a strong team spirit.”
The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA’s Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 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.
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.
The ITF today announced that Flavia Pennetta has won the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2015 after leading Italy to victory over the United States in April’s World Group play-off tie in her home town of Brindisi.
Pennetta, a four-time Fed Cup by BNP Paribas champion, helped Italy retain its place in the World Group after her team came from behind to defeat the United States 3-2. She overcame Christina McHale 61 61 to level the tie, before partnering Sara Errani to a 60 63 victory over Alison Riske and Serena Williams, ending Williams’s unbeaten Fed Cup record. Pennetta has long been a stalwart of the Italian team, playing her first Fed Cup tie in 2003 and boasting a 25-5 overall win-loss record in the competition.
Pennetta will receive a cheque for US$3,000, which will be donated to her chosen charity, Fede Lux, the Italian cancer charity founded in memory of the player Federico Luzzi, who died in 2008 from leukemia.
Pennetta said: “It is an honour to receive the Fed Cup Heart Award. I have always been proud to represent my country, and to have been part of four Fed Cup winning teams with my teammates and friends. I am pleased to donate my cheque to such a worthwhile charity.”
Pennetta was selected for the latest award alongside Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) and Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU). All four players competed in the World Group and World Group II play-offs on 18-19 April.
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, which ran on 22-26 June, was held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winner.
A total of five Heart Awards have already been presented in 2015. Pennetta follows in the footsteps of Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU), Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR), Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA), who were honoured earlier this year. The final award will be presented at the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Prague.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Flavia for her outstanding performances for her country throughout her career. She has played a key role in her team’s success, during which she has demonstrated her fighting qualities and a strong team spirit.”
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.
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.
2015 Winners
World Group semifinals: to be presented at the Final
World Group / World Group II play-offs: Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
World Group / World Group II first round: Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)
Americas Zone Group I: Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
Value of cheques
World Group semifinals winner (x1): $10,000
World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1): $6,000
World Group / World Group II play-offs winner (x1): $3,000
Zone Group I winners (x3): $1,000
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
The ITF has announced a shortlist of four players to receive the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2015. The ITF has reintroduced the award for players competing in the World Group and World Group II play-offs in April.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Timea Bacsinszky (SUI), Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) and Flavia Pennetta (ITA) have all been shortlisted for the Fed Cup play-offs award.
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 22-26 June, is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winner, who will receive a cheque for $3,000 to be donated to their chosen charity.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The Fed Cup Heart Award is in 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 six players will now 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
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Scored three victories against Japan to lead Belarus back into World Group II for the first time since 2012. Defeated Misaki Doi and Kurumi Nara in singles, before partnering Olga Govortsova to victory in the decisive doubles rubber.
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Recorded three wins against Poland to help Switzerland win promotion to the World Group. Defeated Urszula and Agnieszka Radwanska in singles, before partnering Viktorija Golubic to a dramatic three-set doubles victory.
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Secured Romania’s promotion to the World Group with two singles victories against Canada. Upset Eugenie Bouchard on the opening day, before scoring a three-set win over Francoise Abanda to give Romania a 3-1 winning lead.
Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Helped Italy come from behind to defeat the United States 3-2 in Brindisi. Defeated Christina McHale to level the tie, before partnering Sara Errani to victory over Alison Riske and Serena Williams, ending Williams’s unbeaten Fed Cup record,
2015 WINNERS
World Group semifinals: to be presented at the Final
World Group / World Group II play-offs: TBC
World Group / World Group II first round: Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)
Americas Zone Group I: Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
VALUE OF CHEQUES
World Group semifinals winner (x1): $10,000
World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1): $6,000
World Group / World Group II play-offs winner (x1): $3,000
Zone Group I winners (x3): $1,000
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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