Noam Okun Appointed New Captain of Israel Davis Cup Tennis Team
The Israel Tennis Association has appointed former player Noam Okun as the new Davis Cup captain, succeeding Jonathan Erlich after a seven-year tenure.
The Israel Tennis Association announced on Thursday the appointment of Noam Okun as the new captain of Israel's Davis Cup team, succeeding Jonathan Erlich, who stepped down after seven years in the role.
The appointment follows a comprehensive evaluation process that considered several candidates from Israel and abroad. Okun was selected based on his extensive professional experience, deep familiarity with the national team and Israeli tennis, and his proven ability to lead the squad through upcoming international challenges.
A New Professional Direction
The association stated that Okun's appointment marks the beginning of a strategic shift aimed at providing year-round support for national team players and developing a broad reserve roster for future international competitions.
Okun, 48, is one of Israel's most prominent former tennis players. He represented the country in the Davis Cup for a decade between 1999 and 2008, contributing to its rise on the global stage, including Israel's historic run to the Davis Cup semifinals in 2009. During his singles career, he reached a career-high ranking of 95th in the world in April 2002 before retiring from professional play in 2010 to pursue a coaching career.
Leadership Vision
Tennis Association Chairman Avi Peretz praised the new captain's dedication: "What particularly impressed me about Noam is his enthusiasm, commitment, and Zionism. We want to take the Davis Cup team a step forward and build a different working model, where the team does not just assemble for two ties a year, but enjoys continuous professional backing year-round."
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Okun stated:
"I am thrilled to return to the Israel team, this time as captain! I thank Avi Peretz and the Tennis Association for the trust and the opportunity to lead the squad. We will do everything to represent the country with honor on the international stage and achieve success."
