The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award is a joint ITF and BNP Paribas initiative and was first presented to USA's Melanie Oudin at the Final in 2009.
It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to the team during Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.
Winners
2011
- World Group semifinals: Petra Kvitova (CZE)
- World Group / World Group II play-offs: Andrea Petkovic (GER)
- World Group / World Group II first round: Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)
- Americas Zone Group I: Bianca Botto (PER)
- Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Ayumi Morita (JPN)
- Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
2010
- World Group semifinals: Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
- World Group / World Group II play-offs: Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)
- World Group / World Group II first round: Jelena Jankovic (SRB)
- Americas Zone Group I: Maria-Fernanda Alves (BRA)
- Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)
- Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)
2009
- World Group: Melanie Oudin (USA)
Judging panel
A seven-person judging panel is responsible for short listing candidate players who, through their team spirit, fair play and commitment, best represent the spirit of the competition.
Panel
- Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA), ITF President
- Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (ESP), former Fed Cup player
- 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
Voting
A public vote will take place on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the winners. Only one vote per person is counted.
- Voting is currently closed
Dates
In 2012, an award will be presented to a player after the World Group / World Group II first round, World Group semifinals, and also after each Zone Group I event – in total, five awards. Each winner receives a cheque to be donated to a chosen charity.
Zone Group I (Americas, Asia/Oceania & Europe/Africa)
- Public vote from 1-22 March on FedCup.com
- Three winners to be each awarded a cheque of US $1,000
World Group / World Group II first round
- Public vote from 1-22 March on FedCup.com
- One winner to be awarded a cheque of US $6,000
World Group semifinals
- Public vote from 6-27 October on FedCup.com
- One winner to be awarded a cheque of US $10,000
- Winner to be announced and presented at Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final
Quotes
Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF President
"The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award gives us an opportunity to honour players from all levels of the competition who have shown great courage and determination on the court.
"All the Heart Award winners have demonstrated how much they value representing their countries in Fed Cup by BNP Paribas. We congratulate all of them.
"The Heart Award also allows these outstanding players to give something back through a donation to each player's chosen charity. We look forward to another year of Fed Cup by BNP Paribas and the Fed Cup Heart Award."
Antoine Sire, BNP Paribas Head of Brand, Communication & Quality
“By supporting this initiative, which combines social engagement with the promotion of women’s tennis, we remain committed to our active partnership policy that has united BNP Paribas and the Fed Cup since 2005.”