You can help put the Heart in the Fed Cup final next month.
The ITF today announced that the inaugural Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award will be presented at the Fed Cup final between host Italy and the United States. The final is being held in Reggio Calabria, November 7-8.
The Heart Award aims "to recognize a player who has represented her country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to the team during the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas," according to the ITF.
Along with the honor of the award, the winner will receive a unique Heart bracelet and a check for $2,500 to donate to her chosen charity.
The winner will be decided by an online public vote, taking place from today until November 4 on the Fed Cup website.
"This is a great opportunity to recognize and reward the extraordinary commitment that players show towards Fed Cup by BNP Paribas," ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said. "It has been an excellent season with some fantastic individual and team performances. I encourage all tennis fans to go online and get involved."
There are four nominees for the Heart Award, all selected for their exploits in this year’s competition:
- Alexa Glatch (USA)
- Melanie Oudin (USA)
- Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
- Francesca Schiavone (ITA).
Starting in 2010, a Fed Cup by Heart Award will be presented to a different player after each round of the World Group. In addition, a player from each Zonal Group will also be recognized.
Information about the nominees:
Alexa Glatch (USA) — Glatch made the type of Fed Cup debut players dream about when she came in to the USA team for the semifinals against Czech Republic. Playing in Brno, the 20-year-old Californian recorded routine straight sets victories over Iveta Benesova and Petra Kvitova — both ranked more than 50 places higher in the world standings.
Melanie Oudin (USA) — Oudin, who won the hearts of the American public by reaching the US Open quarterfinals in September, played a crucial role in her nation progressing to the Fed Cup final. After losing her debut singles rubber in the first round tie against Argentina — and with USA precariously trailing 1-2 in the tie — the talented teenager battled back from a set down to defeat Betina Jozami, setting up a chance for victory in the deciding doubles rubber.
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) — Pennetta has enjoyed the best form of her career in 2009, winning titles in Palermo and Los Angeles and reaching a career high world ranking of No. 10. The 27-year-old, along with Francesca Schiavone, has also formed the foundation of Italy’s Fed Cup campaign. She won both her singles rubbers in the first round against France and then defeated Anna Chakvetadze in the semifinals against Russia, helping her nation reach its third final since 2006.
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) — Schiavone has enhanced her Fed Cup credentials with another impressive season. She defeated France’s Alize Cornet in the first round before winning what must rank as one of her best career victories in the semifinals against Russia. The 29-year-old came from behind to edge past Svetlana Kuznetsova, a two-time Grand Slam champion, before clinching the decisive rubber against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
