Boulter, Fernandez, Frech and Svitolina up for Heart Award

Katie Boulter, Leylah Fernandez, Magdalena Frech and Elina Svitolina have been nominated for the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award following their stellar performances during April’s Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-offs ties.

Fans are invited to select their candidates for the first Heart Award prize under the competition’s new name, with the winner receiving a $3,000 prize to donate to the charity of their choice.

Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award voting is now open – vote here!

Great Britain’s Katie Boulter produced a performance that belied her ranking as world No.291 to seal the first and final wins of the nation’s victory over Mexico without dropping a set. The 24-year-old, a Heart Award winner during the 2019 World Group II Play-offs for her performance against Kazakhstan, now boasts a 9-1 career Billie Jean King Cup win-loss record.

Leylah Fernandez produced two three-set victories to put Canada into an unassailable 3-0 lead in Serbia. The 18-year-old, who was nominated for a Heart Award in 2020, spent over five hours on court over the weekend, fighting back from a set and 3-1 down to beat Nina Stojanovic in the decisive third match and holding her composure when a floodlight failure on match point forced a 10-minute delay.

The only player to post three match wins during the Play-offs, Magdalena Frech – installed as Poland’s No.1 in the absence of Iga Swiatek – twice battled back from a set down on Day 2 in Bytom, overcoming Brazil's Laura Pigossi in singles before partnering Katarzyna Kawa to victory in the decisive doubles.

A year on from helping Ukraine gain promotion from Europe/Africa Group I, Elina Svitolina claimed the first ever match win under the competition’s new name during the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-offs, going on to secure the hosts’ victory over Japan with a hard-earned win over the inspired Yuki Naito in her second singles match.

Now in its 12th year, the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award recognises those players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to the team during Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas. To date, award winners have donated over $200,000 to charities worldwide.

Online voting will take place for one week from today, Friday 7 May, until 12:00 BST on Friday 14 May, with the winners to be announced on Monday 17 May.

You can learn more about the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award here.