By Admin 
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced Shrivalli Bhamidipaty as the winner of the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award for the Asia-Oceania zone, on Tuesday.
With 78% vote share in the race against Lulu Sun of New Zealand, the 23-year-old Shrivalli was the winner of the award when the voting closed earlier this month. She had won all her five singles matches to help India qualify for the World Group play-off, to be staged in Bengaluru in November.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my team members and fans for supporting me. It has always been an emotional moment to play for my country, and I am really grateful for the opportunity,” said Shrivalli.
The Heart Award recognises 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 events.
Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina had won the award in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Shrivalli donated the $2,000 cash component that accompanies the award to the Vaidehi Seva Samithi, an organisation that empowers girls with education and life-skill training.
The award for the Americas zone went to Victoria Rodriguez of Mexico and to Matilde Jorge of Portugal for the Europe-Africa region.
For the World Group qualifiers, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine won the award with 33% votes, ahead of Bernarda Pera (USA), Sonay Kartal (GBR), Victoria Mboko (Can) and Ena Shibahara (Jpn). She donated the cash award of $3,000 to the Svitolina Foundation.