The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that 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
2013
- World Group / World Group II first round: Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
- Americas Zone Group I: Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA)
- Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ)
- Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
2012
- World Group semifinals: Jelena Jankovic (SRB)
- World Group / World Group II first round: Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
- Americas Zone Group I: Catalina Castano (COL)
- Asia/Oceania Zone Group I: Li Na (CHN)
- Europe/Africa Zone Group I: Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)
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
- 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
Voting
Voting for the current round of the Fed Cup Heart Award is now closed.
Dates
In 2013, an award will be presented 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 will receive a cheque to be donated to a chosen charity.
Zone Group I (Americas, Asia/Oceania & Europe/Africa)
- Public vote from 4-29 March on FedCup.com
- Three winners each awarded a cheque of US $1,000
World Group / World Group II first round
- Public vote from 4-29 March on FedCup.com
- One winner awarded a cheque of US $6,000
World Group semifinals
- Public vote from 7-28 October on FedCup.com
- One winner awarded a cheque of US $10,000
- Winner 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."