The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the sport's world governing body, has honored sportscaster and tennis champion Dyan Castillejo with the Fed Cup Commitment Award.

The ABS-CBN News sports journalist is the first Filipina player to be given the distinction.

According to the Fed Cup website, the award is presented to players who have shown long-standing dedication to representing their country in the competition.

Each recipient competed in a minimum of 20 World Group ties or 40 ties at any level of the competition over her career.

"I truly consider representing my country the Philippines an honor and a privilege. Love wearing that Philippine jacket! Thanks so much to the ITF and am excited to receive that trophy!" Castillejo said in a text message.

Castillejo played in the Fed Cup for 10 years in a row from 1980 to 1990.

Besides competing in the Fed Cup, Castillejo also represented the Philippines in the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, Junior Wimbledon and Junior US Open.

She was also the first Filipina to earn a WTA women's ranking.

Castillejo wishes other Filipino tennis players will also make their mark in the international arena.

"To all our current tennis champions who are campaigning abroad for our Flag keep up the intensity and drive! I know how tough it is but with God, yes you can," she said.

Other recipients include tennis legends Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Lindsay Davenport and Petra Kvitova.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)