USA Today via Reuters
Sep 4, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Belinda Bencic of Switzerland waves to the crowd after her match against Jessica Pegula of the United States (not pictured) on day six of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 4, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Belinda Bencic of Switzerland waves to the crowd after her match against Jessica Pegula of the United States (not pictured) on day six of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Swiss tennis player Belinda Bencic has been eyeing the Grand Slam title for a while now. Despite reaching the Quarters on several occasions, Bencic failed to sustain the advantage.
This was exhibited in the US Open too. Emma Raducanu stunned Bencic in straight sets, in the QFs of the tournament.
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Belinda Bencic won Heart award for spirited performance at Billie Jean King Cup
The Swiss won the Gold medal in Singles and also went on to become the second best team in women’s doubles, thereby winning the silver. Her run at Tokyo might be the best week of her life on tour as a professional player.
At the Billie Jean King cup, Bencic displayed utmost dedication to add another event to her country’s name but fell short in the finals to a dominant Russian team.
But all was not in vain! International Tennis Federation(ITF) bestowed the Billie Jean King Cup Heart award to Bencic, as a gesture of appreciation.
❤️ Huge congrats to the winner of the @BJKCup #HeartAward @BelindaBencic ! pic.twitter.com/IB3XCKcpdL
— Swiss Tennis (@swiss_tennis) December 8, 2021
Watch this story: Five Major Life Lessons We Can Learn From Tennis Star Serena Williams
Started in 2009, the Heart award intends to recognize players who have represented their countries with utmost dedication and stood by their team to produce splendid performances at the Billie Jean King Cup(previously known as the Fed Cup).
Bencic looks forward to the 2022 Australian tennis summer
Bencic expressed gratitude over the honor bestowed upon her.
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“It is always a huge honor for me to be able to represent Switzerland. So I’m all the more pleased that I was able to win the Heart Award of the Billie Jean King Cup”.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 8, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Belinda Bencic of Switzerland hits to Emma Raducanuon of the United Kingdom on day ten of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Along with the award, the winner is also rewarded with $10,000 cash prize and given to a charity on behalf of the player. This year, the amount on Bencic’s behalf will be donated to animal shelters.
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The Swiss‘ own dog, Paula has been adopted from one such shelter. After mixed results from the WTA tour this season, Belinda Bencic will be looking forward to make a successful return to tour at the Australian tennis summer in January 2022.
Also read: Serena Williams Becomes The Only Athlete to Enter this Prestigious List
