SWISS STAR! Belinda Bencic Bestowed With Special Award on Exceptional Performances for Switzerland

Swiss tennis player Belinda Bencic has been eyeing for a grand slam title over the past few years. Even though she managed to reach the quarters on several occasions, Bencic failed to sustain post the last eight rounds at most of the slams.

Even this year, the Swiss player reached the quarter-finals at the US Open, where she was stunned by Emma Raducanu in straight sets. Bencic entered New York after enjoying a magnificent run at the Tokyo Olympics.

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.

Also 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.

Bencic’s efforts throughout the year were recognized by International Tennis Federation(ITF) as they bestowed the Billie Jean King Cup Heart award to the Swiss.

Huge congrats to the winner of the @BJKCup #HeartAward @BelindaBencic ! pic.twitter.com/IB3XCKcpdL

— Swiss Tennis (@swiss_tennis) December 8, 2021

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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.

“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”.

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, every year the winner will also be rewarded with $10,000 cash prize and it will be given to a charity on behalf of the player. This year, the amount on Bencic’s behalf will be donated to animal shelters.

The Swiss‘ own dog, Paula is also adopted from one such animal shelters. 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 next year.

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