Becoming the first ever French player to have won this, Caroline Garcia has won final Fed Cup Heart Award of 2016 for her performance in the World Group semifinals, an ITF press release claimed.
The 22-year-old Garcia, who has won two singles and four doubles titles on the WTA tour, as well as one singles and four doubles titles on the ITF tour, helped France to a 3-2 victory over Netherlands in April’s World Group semifinal tie in Trelaze. There she beat Arantxa Rus on day two before joining forces with Kristina Mladenovic to overcome Kiki Bertens and Richel Hogenkamp in the deciding doubles rubber; something which earned her this noble award.
Caroline Garcia, speaking about the award, said,”It’s an honour for me to have won this award presented by the ITF regarding the Fed Cup. I would like to thank all the fans who follow me and who have voted for me, their messages affect me a lot.” She will receive a cheque for US$10,000, which will be donated to Sourire à la Vie, a charity dedicated to children with cancer.
Further speaking about the ITF social initiative attached with this award, she added,”I wish the money to go to the charity Sourire à la Vie which works on behalf of children who suffer from cancer by helping them to enjoy life. This is a charity which touches me a lot. I hope my modest contribution will help children to fight the disease and to smile again.”
In his congratulatory note to the French player, ITF President David Haggerty said: “I would like to congratulate Caroline for her commitment to the French Fed Cup team and some outstanding performances. She has played a key role in her team’s success in recent years, during which she has demonstrated her fighting qualities and a strong team spirit.”
Caroline Garcia was selected alongside Kiki Bertens (NED), Viktorija Golubic (SUI) and Karolina Pliskova (CZE), who all competed in the World Group semifinals on 16-17 April 2016.