Dudi Sela

David "Dudi" Sela, born April 4, 1985, in Kiryat Shmona, Israel, is a former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 29 in July 2009. Over his career, Sela became known for his tenacity on the court, often upsetting higher-ranked opponents. His junior career peaked with a French Open 2003 junior doubles title, and he transitioned to the senior tour with a steady presence in ATP events. Sela's Davis Cup exploits for Israel include a memorable 2007 victory over then-world No. 7 Fernando González, and he was a key player in Israel's surprising semifinal run in 2009. He also notched straight-sets wins over world No. 5 David Ferrer in 2008 and world No. 7 Andy Roddick in 2010, showcasing his ability to compete against the game's elite. At Grand Slams, his best result came at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the fourth round. Sela finished runner-up at two ATP tournaments, in Beijing and Atlanta, and in 2015 he claimed his 24th career ATP Challenger title, moving him into second place on the all-time list of Challenger title wins, behind only Lu Yen-hsun. His consistent success at the Challenger level underscored his durability and skill, even as the top tier of the sport remained fiercely competitive.[edit]

Dudi Sela's fans are a devoted, national bunch, though they've never coalesced around a formal name. As Israel's top male player for over a decade, he carried the hopes of a small tennis nation, and his matches were followed closely by Israeli media and fans alike. The fanbase is informal and emotionally invested, sharing viral moments like his warm embrace of Ivo Karlovic in Colombia, which racked up over a million views. No organized campaigns or rituals exist, but fans affectionately joked about his occasionally erratic shot selection, and his post-retirement Dudi Sela Tennis Academy shows his ongoing commitment to growing the sport at home.

In the global fame landscape, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Sela, but he currently holds no placement in the published rankings, neither in the Global Top 1,000 nor on any Top-100 scope list. His fame remains a matter of national pride and tennis folklore rather than quantified global renown.[edit]

Dudi Sela's name has become a verb-like reference in tennis folklore: at the 2026 Brisbane tournament, Australian player Dane Sweeny revealed he deliberately performed "the Dudi Sela" handshake after defeating Reilly Opelka, a gesture he had promised his friends. The ATP Tour's official website reported the story, cementing Sela's status as a cult figure.

His viral hug with Ivo Karlovic in Colombia, contrasting the 5'9" Sela with the 6'11" Karlovic, amassed over a million views and became a symbol of his sportsmanship. Sela's five-set battle with Mikhail Kukushkin at Wimbledon 2014 remains a memorable Grand Slam performance, and his comeback victory in June 2019 after two years of injury-related absence was celebrated as a milestone. Known as "this warrior" by Israeli media, Sela's longevity and continued presence through his academy have made him a national icon.[edit]