Tzipora Obziler
Encyclopedia
Tzipora Obziler is a former professional right-handed tennis
player.
She reached her career-high singles world ranking of #75 in on July 8, 2007, and doubles ranking of #149 on April 10, 2000.
In Federation Cup she is a shared world record holder for most ties played, at 61. She is Jewish.
circuit. Despite her late run, she played her best tennis over the last few years and qualified for several grand slam events.
She started playing tennis at age 10, with friends.
In 1997 she won ITF tournaments in singles in Jaffa
and Antalya, Turkey. In 1998 she repeated in Jaffa.
In 1999 she won in Guimaraes, Portugal, and Azemeis, Portugal, and 2 tournaments in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2000 she won tournaments in Ashkelon
and Beersheba
in Israel.
In 2002 she won in Mumbai
, India, and Nonthaburi, Thailand. In November she defeated world # 62 Emmanuelle Gagliardi
of Switzerland 6–7(2), 6–3, 6–2 in France. In 2003 in India she had an upset win over world # 36 Elena Likhovtseva
of Russia, 6–2, 6–3.
In 2004 she played world # 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne
in the US Open, winning a set but losing in the second round 6–2, 5–7, 6–2. In 2005 she won both the singles and doubles (with Shahar Pe'er
) titles in Raanana, Israel. She also upset world # 47 Émilie Loit
of France in the Australian Open, 7–6(11), 6–4.
In 2006, she managed to get further than the 2nd-round of a WTA
event in her first event of the year at Auckland
and at Guangzhou
in late September. In Auckland
, she reached the quarterfinals with two good wins over Jamea Jackson
and the 5th-seeded world # 27 Katarina Srebotnik
of Slovenia
, before falling to Daniela Hantuchová
. In Guangzhou
, she reached the semifinals of the tournament, along the way defeating world # 51 Elena Vesnina
of Russia and world # 20 Na Li
of China 6–3, 6–2, before falling to the 4th-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues
in three sets, 5–7, 6–2, 4–6.
Other than that, she qualified for the Australian Open
and various WTA tour events, she won an ITF title in Washington, DC, and finally an ITF doubles title in Antalya-Manavgat partnering Romina Oprandi
.
In 2007 she beat 56th-ranked Aiko Nakamura
of Japan in the round of 16 of the Pattiaya City tournament in Thailand, 3–6, 6–1, 6–1. She also made it to the semifinals in Bangalore and Patras. In August at the US Open she lost in the first round to world # 86 Caroline Wozniacki
of Denmark, 6–4, 2–6, 5–7.
On September 30, 2007, she reached her first final on the WTA Tour, in which she lost to Virginie Razzano
0–6, 3–6 at the Guangzhou International Women's Open
.
Obziler was part of Israel's Federation Cup team that won 10 ties in a row to reach the competition's quarterfinals in 2008 – Israel's greatest Federation Cup achievement in history.
Obziler currently holds the world record for most Federation Cup Ties Played, at 61. She shares the record with compatriot Anna Smashnova
.
in Beijing
, China, in both singles and (with Shahar Pe'er
) doubles.
(the Israeli Army). Obziler is a computer BA
graduate from Old Dominion University
in Norfolk, VA. In an interview with "Maariv
", Israel's second-largest daily newspaper, she stated that she is gay
. She and her partner Hadas have a daughter together named Lihi. Obziler took a break from professional tennis when the baby was born, and came back to play on 2008.
On August 13, 2009, Obziler convened a press conference to announce her retirement from professional tennis.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player.
She reached her career-high singles world ranking of #75 in on July 8, 2007, and doubles ranking of #149 on April 10, 2000.
In Federation Cup she is a shared world record holder for most ties played, at 61. She is Jewish.
Tennis career
She has won 13 singles and 13 doubles titles on the ITFInternational Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
circuit. Despite her late run, she played her best tennis over the last few years and qualified for several grand slam events.
She started playing tennis at age 10, with friends.
In 1997 she won ITF tournaments in singles in Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
and Antalya, Turkey. In 1998 she repeated in Jaffa.
In 1999 she won in Guimaraes, Portugal, and Azemeis, Portugal, and 2 tournaments in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2000 she won tournaments in Ashkelon
Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
and Beersheba
Beersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
in Israel.
In 2002 she won in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India, and Nonthaburi, Thailand. In November she defeated world # 62 Emmanuelle Gagliardi
Emmanuelle Gagliardi
Emmanuelle Gagliardi is a professional Swiss tennis player.Her coach is Marco Tarelli and she prefers to play on hardcourts.As of 2 March 2008, Gagliardi is still searching for her first WTA Tour singles title....
of Switzerland 6–7(2), 6–3, 6–2 in France. In 2003 in India she had an upset win over world # 36 Elena Likhovtseva
Elena Likhovtseva
Elena Alexandrovna Likhovtseva is a Russian tennis player, currently inactive. She turned professional in January 1992 at the age of 16.Likhovtseva's career best appearance in a Grand Slam was when she reached the semi finals of the French Open 2005 before she was defeated by Mary Pierce, 6–1 6–1...
of Russia, 6–2, 6–3.
In 2004 she played world # 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne
Justine Henin-Hardenne
Justine Henin , formerly known as Justine Henin-Hardenne , is a retired professional Belgian tennis player and former World No. 1....
in the US Open, winning a set but losing in the second round 6–2, 5–7, 6–2. In 2005 she won both the singles and doubles (with Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er is an Israeli professional tennis player. Her career-high singles ranking is World No. 11, which she achieved on January 31, 2011 ....
) titles in Raanana, Israel. She also upset world # 47 Émilie Loit
Emilie Loit
Émilie Loit is a retired French professional female tennis player. She was born in Cherbourg, France.She rose to fame when she played against American superstar Serena Williams before losing 6–3, 6–7, 5–7 in a tough first round 2003 Australian Open match.In her career Loit has won three career...
of France in the Australian Open, 7–6(11), 6–4.
In 2006, she managed to get further than the 2nd-round of a WTA
Women's Tennis Association
The Women's Tennis Association , founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organizing body of Women's Professional Tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. Its counterpart organization in the men's professional game is the Association of...
event in her first event of the year at Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
and at Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
in late September. In Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, she reached the quarterfinals with two good wins over Jamea Jackson
Jamea Jackson
Jamea Jackson is a female American former tennis player. She reached a singles ranking of 45 in the world at the end of 2006.Jackson was born in Atlanta, Georgia and attended the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida....
and the 5th-seeded world # 27 Katarina Srebotnik
Katarina Srebotnik
Katarina Srebotnik is a Slovenian professional tennis player. Srebotnik is right-handed, 1.80 m, weighs 65 kg and lives in Dubai. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 20 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on August 7, 2006.Srebotnik won 4 singles titles on the WTA-tour and was a steady top 30...
of Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, before falling to Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová is a Slovak professional tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first Tier I tournament and ended the year in the top 10.She is currently coached by Larri Passos...
. In Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, she reached the semifinals of the tournament, along the way defeating world # 51 Elena Vesnina
Elena Vesnina
Elena Sergeevna Vesnina is a professional female tennis player from Russia. Her career high rank was #22, achieved on 12 October 2009...
of Russia and world # 20 Na Li
Li Na (tennis)
Li Na , goes first before the equivalent of a first name in some other nations. Her name off court in China is Li Na. When listed on the , she is known as Na Li. However, in the match, the commentators call her Li Na, and when her full name is listed in text on court, it is also written as Li Na.;...
of China 6–3, 6–2, before falling to the 4th-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues
Anabel Medina Garrigues
Ana Isabel Medina Garrigues , better known as Anabel Medina, is a Spanish female tennis player. She reached a career high WTA Tour ranking of No. 16 on 4 May 2009, and has won 11 singles titles and 14 doubles titles, including the 2008 French Open and 2009 French Open with Virginia Ruano Pascual...
in three sets, 5–7, 6–2, 4–6.
Other than that, she qualified for the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
and various WTA tour events, she won an ITF title in Washington, DC, and finally an ITF doubles title in Antalya-Manavgat partnering Romina Oprandi
Romina Oprandi
Romina Sarina Oprandi is an Italian female professional tennis player. She turned professional in 2005 and has been ranked as high as 46 in the world .-Tennis career:...
.
In 2007 she beat 56th-ranked Aiko Nakamura
Aiko Nakamura
, is a female Japanese tennis player. She was once the second highest WTA-ranked Japanese singles tennis player, at 107 , after Ai Sugiyama....
of Japan in the round of 16 of the Pattiaya City tournament in Thailand, 3–6, 6–1, 6–1. She also made it to the semifinals in Bangalore and Patras. In August at the US Open she lost in the first round to world # 86 Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki is a Danish professional tennis player. She is the current world no. 1 on the WTA Tour. As of 7 November 2011, she has held this position for 56 weeks...
of Denmark, 6–4, 2–6, 5–7.
On September 30, 2007, she reached her first final on the WTA Tour, in which she lost to Virginie Razzano
Virginie Razzano
Virginie Razzano , is a French professional tennis player and the current French No. 4. Razzano, who was born in Dijon, has won two WTA singles titles, both in 2007 in Guangzhou and Tokyo. Razzano reached her career high ranking of World No. 16 on September 14, 2009. As of May 2011, she is ranked...
0–6, 3–6 at the Guangzhou International Women's Open
Guangzhou International Women's Open
The Guangzhou International Women's Open is a tennis tournament held in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Held since 2004, the inaugural tournament had Li Na as the first ever Chinese singles title winner. -Singles:-Doubles:-External links:* *...
.
Federation Cup
Obziler was 48–30 in Federation Cup matches between 1994 and 2007, including wins in 12 of her most recent 13 matches.Obziler was part of Israel's Federation Cup team that won 10 ties in a row to reach the competition's quarterfinals in 2008 – Israel's greatest Federation Cup achievement in history.
Obziler currently holds the world record for most Federation Cup Ties Played, at 61. She shares the record with compatriot Anna Smashnova
Anna Smashnova
Anna Smashnova is a former professional tennis player from Israel. She retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon 2007.Smashnova, who has been noted as having a great last name for a tennis player, reached her career-high singles ranking of World # 15 in 2003. She was in 13 finals, and won...
.
Olympics
She represented Israel at the 2008 Summer OlympicsIsrael at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Israel competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. This was Israel's 14th participation in the Summer Olympics.43 Israeli athletes competed in Beijing, the largest Israeli delegation in Olympic history, the previous record having been 40 at Sydney 2000...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China, in both singles and (with Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er is an Israeli professional tennis player. Her career-high singles ranking is World No. 11, which she achieved on January 31, 2011 ....
) doubles.
Personal life
Obziler speaks Hebrew and English. After graduating from high school, she served two years in the IDFIsrael Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(the Israeli Army). Obziler is a computer BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
graduate from Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Norfolk, VA. In an interview with "Maariv
Maariv
Maariv is a Hebrew language daily newspaper published in Israel. It is second in sales after Yedioth Ahronoth and third in readership after Yedioth Ahronoth and Israel HaYom. In a TGI survey comparing the last half of 2009 with the same period in 2008, Maariv saw its market share fall slightly...
", Israel's second-largest daily newspaper, she stated that she is gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
. She and her partner Hadas have a daughter together named Lihi. Obziler took a break from professional tennis when the baby was born, and came back to play on 2008.
On August 13, 2009, Obziler convened a press conference to announce her retirement from professional tennis.