Noam Okun
 | |
| Country (sports) |  Israel |
|---|---|
| Residence | Haifa, Israel |
| Born | April 16, 1978 Haifa, Israel |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Turned pro | 1996 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | $783,527 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 36–58 |
| Career titles | 0 5 Challengers, 5 Futures |
| Highest ranking | No. 95 (April 22, 2002) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2000, 2002) |
| French Open | Q3 (2005) |
| Wimbledon | 1R (2002, 2005) |
| US Open | 2R (2002, 2006) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 1–5 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 162 (July 6, 2009) |
| Last updated on: November 13, 2012. | |
Noam Okun (Hebrew: נעם אוקון; born April 16, 1978, in Haifa, Israel) is a retired professional tennis player.
He reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 95 in April 2002. Okun has won several challenger tournaments in his career, and has been a consistent competitor on the ATP tour, often qualifying for Grand Slam events.
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]
Early life
Okun was born in Haifa, Israel. He is Jewish.[2][3]
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 Gaël 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 Łukasz 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.
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.[4] His Davis Cup record also includes big wins in live rubbers over Wayne Ferreira, Jarkko Nieminen, and Andreas Seppi.
See also
References
- ^ "ITC Champions". June 29, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
- ^ Levi, Joshua, "Israeli star trains at Maccabi courts," [[The Australian Jewish News Template:Wayback]," 1/10/08, accessed 6/4/09]
- ^ Davis, Carin (August 15, 2002). "Up Front". Jewish Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20030821123852/http://www.daviscup.com/teams/player.asp?player=10007911