WHITE PLAINS, NY, USA - The USTA announced Thursday that US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin has won the first annual Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award. The award aims to recognize a player who has represented her country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to her team during the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas competition. Oudin received the most votes in a public vote on the Fed Cup website, and will receive a unique heart bracelet along with $5,000 to donate to her chosen charity - Children's at Egleston in Atlanta. Alexa Glatch, Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone were the other finalists.
"We are so proud of Melanie for all that she has accomplished this year, from winning a key match in the Fed Cup quarterfinal against Argentina in February to her amazing run at the US Open," said Lucy Garvin, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. "She has been a key member of the 2009 Fed Cup team, and this award is evidence that Melanie's passion, exuberance and humility have endeared her to tennis fans worldwide."
Oudin, 18, will be making her third straight appearance for the US Fed Cup team after earning a key singles victory against Argentina with the US facing a 2-1 deficit in February's quarterfinal. Oudin has shot up the rankings in 2009 after a breakthrough year and is currently ranked No.47 in the world. She defeated Jelena Jankovic en route to a fourth round appearance at Wimbledon and recently made headlines when she upset Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova en route to becoming the youngest American quarterfinalist at the US Open since 1999. Oudin also won back-to-back USTA Pro Circuit titles at $50,000 events in Indian Harbour Beach and Raleigh in May.
"I'm so honored to be part of the US Fed Cup team and winning the Heart Award makes it that much more special for me," Oudin said. "This year has been such an amazing year, and it is really wonderful to be able to donate $5,000 to Children's at Egleston - an organization that helped save my little sister's life."
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the world's largest annual international women's team competition with 85 countries competing this year. The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles and is one of eight nations that competed for the 2009 Fed Cup title as part of the Fed Cup World Group. For more information, including access to player and historical Fed Cup records, please go to www.usta.com.
