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Tzipora ObzilerIsraeli professional tennis player
Date of Birth: 19.04.1973
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Early Life and Tennis Beginnings
- University and International Career
- Professional Achievements
- Success in the Fed Cup
- Retirement and Post-Playing Career
- Political Involvement
Early Life and Tennis Beginnings
In 1973, Tzipi Obziler was born in the Israeli city of Givatayim. At the age of 10, she witnessed her neighbors playing tennis and became interested in the sport. In 1988, she began competing in International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments.
University and International Career
After serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Obziler enrolled at Old Dominion University in Virginia. She excelled in college tennis, briefly holding the top ranking among US college players. However, she decided to leave the program due to her age difference with her younger teammates. Upon returning to Israel, Obziler expected support from the sports establishment but was disappointed. She paused her playing career and became a tennis coach. In 1997, she returned to professional tennis after securing sponsorship.
Professional Achievements
From 1997 onwards, Obziler won 14 ITF singles titles and 14 doubles titles. She also triumphed in the Israeli National Championships in 2000, 2004, and 2005. In 2007, she reached the WTA tournament final in Guangzhou, losing to Virginie Razzano. This result propelled her to a career-high ranking of 75 in the WTA rankings. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she competed in both singles and doubles but fell in the first round. Obziler notably defeated top-ranked players Li Na, Katarina Srebotnik, Olga Puchkova, Peng Shuai, and Emilie Loit.
Success in the Fed Cup
Obziler was a mainstay in Israel's Fed Cup team, playing from 1994 to 2009. Together with partner Anna Smashnova, she held the record for most Fed Cup matches played until 2011. She won 23 singles matches and 28 doubles matches for Israel, including victories against players such as Petra Kvitova, Lucia Safarova, and the Bondarenko sisters.
Retirement and Post-Playing Career
In 2009, Obziler announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 36. She continued to work as a coach, mentoring young players through the "Athena" program. In 2015, she became the first female captain of the Israeli Fed Cup team since 1994, succeeding Amos Mansdorf.
Political Involvement
In 2008, Obziler was elected to the Givatayim City Council, representing the Green Givatayim party. In 2009, she was appointed as an advisor to the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports, Limor Livnat.
