Tatiana Poutchek honored with Fed Cup Award of Excellence
At the 2017 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final, the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented the 2017 Fed Cup Award of Excellence to Tatiana Poutchek, a former standout Fed Cup competitor for the Belarus team. The award was presented on court during the 2017 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Minsk, Belarus, which was being contested between Belarus and the United States.
The award was presented by ITF President David Haggerty and 2010 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee and Australian tennis star Mark Woodforde, who represented the Hall of Fame. The ITF and the ITHF annually present the Fed Cup Award of Excellence to a representative from the host nation of the Final who has shown great dedication to Fed Cup by BNP Paribas and who represents the ideals and spirit of the competition.
Poutchek competed in 45 ties for Belarus. She was a key competitor for the nation every year between 1997 and 2011, compiling a record of 28-7 in doubles and 9-8 in singles. She has competed in more ties representing Belarus than any other player and holds the record for most total wins for Belarus and most doubles wins. She was a member of the Belarusian Olympic team in 2008.
As a competitor on the WTA Tour, Poutchek was one of Belarus’ most accomplished players. She attained a career high singles ranking of world No. 55 and a doubles ranking of world No. 25, winning 8 doubles titles.
Poutchek has stayed highly engaged in Belarusian tennis since ending her playing career. She served as Captain of the Belarus Fed Cup team from 2012 – 2015, leading the team to win 10 out of 14 ties in that time, a run which propelled the team into World Group competition. Currently, Poutchek is the head of women’s tennis for the Belarus Tennis Federation.
Tatiana Poutchek said, “I am extremely honored to have represented my country in Fed Cup, first as a player and then as captain. To therefore win this award means so much to me, particularly when the world is taking notice of Belarus tennis. We have a great opportunity to grow this amazing sport in our country and I will continue to help do that however I can.”
“There is no greater privilege nor responsibility for an athlete than to represent one’s country. As her results and longevity in the sport show, Tatiana has put her full heart into representing Belarus. It is a pleasure to recognize her contributions and accomplishments with this Fed Cup Award of Excellence,” commented International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin.
ITF President David Haggerty remarked, "As a dedicated competitor and later as a committed coach, Tatiana exemplified the spirit of Fed Cup competition and represented Belarus at an incredibly high level. On behalf of the International Tennis Federation we are very pleased to celebrate Tatiana’s achievements and contributions to Fed Cup over the years by presenting her with the well-deserved Fed Cup Award of Excellence."
Past recipients of the Fed Cup Award of Excellence have been Nathalie Tauziat of France in 2016; Petra Pala, Czech Republic captain, in 2015; Helena Sukova of the Czech Republic in 2014; Corrado Barazzutti of Italy in 2013; Jana Novotna of the Czech Republic in 2012; Anastasia Myskina of Russia in 2011; Billie Jean King of the United States in 2010; Mary Joe Fernandez of the United States and Silvia Farina of Italy in 2009; Miguel Margets of Spain in 2008; Lea Pericoli of Italy in 2007; Sabine Appelmans of Belgium in 2006; Françoise "Frankie" Dürr of France in 2005; Olga Morozova of Russia in 2004; Larisa Savchenko of Latvia in 2003; Virginia Wade of Great Britain in 2002; and Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez in 2001.
