Romanian tennis star Simona Halep wins Fed Cup Heart Award

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has won a Fed Cup Heart Award, in the World Group/World Group II category, for her performance in Romania’s win over 2018 champions Czech Republic in February.

This is the second time Halep wins the award, after the Europe/Africa I award in 2014.

Halep, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, was nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award alongside Ashleigh Barty, Georgina Garcia Perez, and Anastasija Sevastova.

“Halep proved the inspiration for Romania as they caused a major Fed Cup shock in Ostrava by handing defending champions Czech Republic their first defeat at home since 2009. The 27-year-old ruthlessly dispatched Katerina Siniakova 64 60 in the second singles rubber of the tie before overcoming fellow former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 64 57 64 in the third,” according to the nomination announcement from the Fed Cup.

Besides Halep, three other winners were chosen by a public vote: Great Britain’s Johanna Konta, Brazil’s Carolina Meligeni Rodrigues Alves and Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.

The winners from Americas Zone Group I, Asia/Oceania Zone Group I and Europe/Africa Zone Group I each receive a cheque of USD 1,000 to be donated to a charity of their choosing. Halep, the World Group/World Group II winner, receives a cheque of USD 3,000.

The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented in 2009. It recognizes 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.

(Photo: Simona Halep Facebook Page)