MONTREAL, April 3, 2017 (Press Release)

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced Monday the four winners of the Fed Cup Heart Award for the 2017 season. Among the winners is Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who went undefeated in her Fed Cup debut in February and led Canada to a berth in the World Group II playoffs.

Andreescu, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan, and Briton Heather Watson are the recipients of the Heart Award following a public vote. The players were nominated by a selection committee which included ITF President David Haggerty, several former Fed Cup players, and members of the international press. The award honours players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team.

“I am honoured to receive this award from the ITF and thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who voted for me,” Andreescu said. “It was very special for me to represent my country in Fed Cup for the first time in February and I hope to continue to do so for many years.”

With the award, Andreescu receives a cheque of $1,000 that she can donate to a charity of her choice. The 16-year-old has chosen to make a donation to the Sick Kids Foundation:  http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/#/select-your-fight.

Andreescu was a perfect 6-0 in the Americas Zone Group I competition in Metepec, Mexico and led Canada to the World Group II playoffs against Kazakhstan which will be played on April 22 and 23 at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal.

On Sunday, Andreescu won her third career ITF Challenger title in Santa Margherita Di Pula, Italy.