Noam Okun
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| Country |  Israel |
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| Residence | Haifa, Israel | |
| Date of birth | 16 April 1978 | |
| Place of birth | Haifa, Israel | |
| Height | 6ft 1in (185 cm) | |
| Weight | 187 lbs (85 kg) | |
| Turned pro | 1996 | |
| Plays | Right; One-handed backhand | |
| Career prize money | $624,406 | |
| Singles | ||
| Career record: | 35 - 53 | |
| Career titles: | 0 | |
| Highest ranking: | 95 (22 April 2002) | |
| Grand Slam results | ||
| Australian Open | 1st (2000,2002) | |
| French Open | DNP | |
| Wimbledon | 1st (2002,2005) | |
| US Open | 2nd (2002,2006) | |
| Doubles | ||
| Career record: | 1 - 4 | |
| Career titles: | 0 | |
| Highest ranking: | 182 (24 November 2003) | |
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Infobox last updated on: 21 January, 2007. |
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Noam Okun (born April 16, 1978, in Haifa, Israel) is a professional tennis player.
In 2002, Okun reached a career-high singles ranking of # 95 in the world. Okun has won several challenger tournaments in his career and has been a consistent competitor on the tour, often qualifying for major events like Grand Slam (tennis).
He, Harel Levy, and Dudi Sela have been Israel's top singles players over the past few years. Okun trained at the Israel Tennis Centers.[1]
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[edit] Early life
Okun was born in Haifa, Israel.
[edit] Tennis career
Okun began playing tennis at age nine, and was selected to be part of the Israeli Tennis Federation program after a short course at school.
Okun turned pro in 1999, at the age of 21.
In 2000, Okun qualified for the Australian Open, where he lost to hometown favorite Mark Philippoussis in a five-set thriller, 4–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 2–6. This was Okun's grand slam debut.
In March 2002 Okun upset Albert Portas of Spain, ranked # 26 in the world, 7–6(4), 6–4, in Scottsdale. In July 2002 he upset Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands, ranked # 23 in the world, 7–6(5), 7–6(4), in Los Angeles. Okun qualified into the 2002 US Open, and lost to world # 1 and defending champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, 6–7(7), 4–6, 1–6 in the second round.
In August 2003 Okun upset Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands, ranked # 15 in the world, 3–6, 6–3, 6–1, in Cincinnati.
In August 2004, Okun won his first title in Binghamton, New York, beating Danai Udomchoke 6–3, 4–6, 6–1 for the title.
In June 2005, Okun qualified for Wimbledon, and lost to Gael Monfils 6–3 4–6 4–6 6–7(14) in the first round. In September 2005, Okun qualified for the US Open and lost to Mariano Puerta 6–7(4), 7–6(3), 4–6, 0–6 in the first round.
In September 2006, Okun qualified for the US Open, and beat Potito Starace 6–2, 6–0, 4–6, 6–2 in the first round. Okun went down to Lukasz Kubot in the second round, 6–7(7), 4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 4–6.
In July 2007, Okun won his second challenger title in Winnetka, Illinois, beating South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6–4, 6–3 in the final.
[edit] Davis Cup
Okun has been a major force on the Israeli Davis Cup team, playing for it in 1999 and since 2001, going 16-13, and winning both of his matches in Israel's 2006 3–2 victory over Great Britain.[1]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- ATP Tour profile for Noam Okun
- Davis Cup record
- Jews in Sports bio
