Montreal, July 6, 2018 – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced Friday that Eugenie Bouchard (Montreal, QC) was the recipient of the Heart Award for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2018 season. Bouchard earns this honour following her strong performances last April, as she got a perfect record by posting two singles wins in the World Group II play-off against Ukraine. This victory allowed Canada to keep its place among the best 16 nations in the world.
Bouchard was named as one of the finalists alongside Jelena Ostapenko (LAT), Elise Mertens (BEL) and Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK). 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. Bouchard won the Heart Award as a result of a public vote. The award honours players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team.
With the award, she receives a cheque for $6,000 that she can donate to a charity of her choice. The Quebec native has chosen to make a donation to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation: https://fondationduchildren.com/en/.
During the World Group II play-off against Ukraine at IGA Stadium April 21 and 22, Bouchard first defeated world no. 78 Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 7-5 before overcoming Lesia Tsurenko (no. 41) by a score of 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5) the following day. Canada won the tie 3-2 after getting the victory in the decisive doubles rubber. This win allows the Canadian team to begin their 2019 campaign in World Group II next February.
