By Andrey Kozlov: This year, it was tennis that gave Belarusian fans the strongest and most pleasant emotions. The men's team of Belarus failed to reach the World Cup Davis Cup. But the women’s team advanced to the elite group of the Fed Cup and made their most important achievement having claimed the silver.
Today, the National Olympic Committee met for the first time in such a format to sum up the results of the season. The ceremony turned out to be as bright and touching as the game on courts during in 2017.
Arina Sobolenko, who made outstanding progress and got into the top 100 and even won a WTA tournament, was recognized as the best tennis player of the country. Vera Lapko was awarded with the Breakthrough of the Year award, Alexandra Sasnovich became the Character of the Year, and Igor Svetlakov, her personal coach, is the Coach of the Year. Eduard Dubrov is the Captain of the Year. And, finally, the women's national team of Belarus was named the Best Team of 2017.
The men’s tennis team received fewer awards. However, Egor Gerasimov became the best tennis player, Vladimir Volchkov – the coach of the year. And Andrey Vasilevsky is the best doubles player.
The first step on the way to the Fed Cup final 2018 will be made on 10-11 February 10 when Minsk will host the first round of the World Group. Belarus will face Germany.
Also, chances are Victoria Azarenko, the Olympic champion of London, will join the national team in February. It is already known that Azarenko received a wild card from the organizers of Australian Open – the first Grand Slam tournament in the season. So this winter in big tennis is expected to be quite eventful.
