Hsu Ching-Wen of Chinese Taipei won the latest Fed Cup Heart Award of 2016 after helping Chinese Taipei to a 4-1 victory over Poland in April’s World Group II play-off tie in Inowroclaw, as announced by ITF today. Hsu is the second Chinese Taipei player to receive a Heart Award in 2016 following Hsieh Su-Wei who got the award for her performances in the Asia- Oceania Zone Group I event in February.
Hsu made a stunning Fed Cup by BNP Paribas debut for her country against Poland to help Chinese Taipei qualify for World Group II for the first time. She upset Paula Kania 6-3 6-4 in the opening leg, before defeating Magdalena Frech 6-2 4-6 6-3 to give the visitors a 3-1 winning lead in the World Group II play-off.
The Fed Cup Heard Award winner will receive a cheque for US$3,000, which will be donated to her chosen charity, the Sanchong branch of the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, that helps children in need in Chinese Taipei and worldwide.
Speaking about this recognition, Hsu said: “I have always been training in the Sanchong area, and there are kids from my school who have received help from the Fund. I know how important it is to receive support in my own career, and I cherish every individual who has helped me along the way. I believe this donation can help the organisation achieve its goals.”
She was selected for the latest award alongside Angelique Kerber (GER), Garbine Muguruza (ESP) and Yanina Wickmayer (BEL); all competed in the World Group and World Group II play-offs on 16-17 April- shortlisted by the Heart Award judging panel, consisting of ITF President David Haggerty and a mixture of former players and members of the international media. And then came public voting for the winner on the websites FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es on 20-23 June.
Speaking on the occasion, the ITF President David Haggerty said: “Fed Cup by BNP Paribas creates new heroes in every round, and Hsu’s fighting qualities and strong team spirit in April were a perfect example of how players can rise to the challenge of representing their country.”
Five Heart Awards have already been presented in 2016 and this was sixth; the previous winners being Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR), Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE), Nadia Podoroska (ARG) and Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR). The final award for the World Group semifinals will be presented at the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Strasbourg.