David “Dudi” Sela is an Israeli former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 29 in July 2009. He won the French Open 2003 junior doubles title and represented Israel in the Davis Cup.
Sela’s career highlights include reaching the fourth round of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships and finishing as runner-up in 2 ATP tournaments in Beijing and Atlanta.
You can follow Dudi Sela’s biography, personal details, career overview, wife, net worth, prize money, earnings, endorsements, stats, achievements, and more here.
Dudi Sela’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | David “Dudi” Sela |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1985 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Place of Birth | Kiryat Shmona, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 143 lbs (65 kg) |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Turned Professional | 2002 |
| Career-High Ranking | World No. 29 (July 2009) |
| Father’s Name | Michael Sela |
| Mother’s Name | Anca Sela |
| Father’s Occupation | Bus driver |
| Mother’s Occupation | Nurse |
| Original Family Name | Sălăjean |
| Siblings | Brother: Ofer Sela |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Marina Sela |
| Children | Three (Elai, Talia, and Roy) |
| Hometown | Kiryat Shmona, Israel |
| Notable Achievement | Won French Open 2003 junior doubles title |
| Career Prize Money | $4,003,831 |
Dudi Sela was born on April 4, 1985, in Kiryat Shmonna, Israel. He began playing tennis at the age of 7 at the Israel Tennis Centre in his hometown.
Sela’s father, Michael, works as a bus driver, while his mother, Anca, is a nurse. Sela has 2 brothers, including Ofer Sela, born in 1972.
Professional Career
Dudi Sela turned professional in 2002 and steadily climbed the ATP rankings, reaching his career-high singles ranking of World No. 29 in July 2009.
Sela’s breakthrough year came in 2008 when he reached his first ATP Tour final at the China Open. During this tournament, he defeated several top-ranked players, including world No. 5 David Ferrer.
In 2009, Sela achieved his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon.
His career highlights also include victories over top-10 players such as Andy Roddick and Fernando González.
Sela was also a formidable competitor on the ATP Challenger circuit. In 2015, he won his 24th career ATP Challenger title, placing him second on the all-time list of Challenger title wins at that time
Sela also represented Israel in the Davis Cup, playing a key role in the country’s semifinal run in 2009.
Wife
Dudi Sela is married to Marina Sela. The couple has 3 children together: a son named Elai, a daughter named Talia, and another son named Roy.
Dudi Sela’s Net Worth Details
Dudi Sela’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2025. This figure is based on his career earnings from prize money and endorsements throughout his professional tennis career.
Prize Money
| Year | Singles Prize Money | Doubles Prize Money | Total Prize Money |
| 2022 | $68,557 | $162 | $68,719 |
| 2021 | $18,784 | $144 | $18,928 |
| 2020 | $18,849 | – | $18,849 |
| 2019 | $71,667 | $2,383 | $74,050 |
| 2018 | $240,075 | $8,499 | $248,574 |
| 2017 | $474,395 | $43,894 | $518,289 |
| 2016 | $344,436 | $43,328 | $387,764 |
| 2015 | $312,117 | $6,367 | $318,484 |
| 2014 | $370,260 | $5,167 | $375,427 |
| 2013 | $197,103 | $9,968 | $207,071 |
| 2012 | $223,687 | $18,776 | $242,463 |
| 2011 | $234,872 | $13,463 | $248,335 |
| 2010 | $255,594 | $27,458 | $283,052 |
| 2009 | $368,650 | $25,341 | $393,991 |
| 2008 | $292,308 | $19,751 | $312,059 |
Career Earnings
Throughout his career, Dudi Sela accumulated a total of $4,003,831 in prize money from singles and doubles competitions combined.
His highest-earning years coincided with his peak performance periods, particularly around 2009 when he achieved his career-high ranking.
Endorsements
Dudi Sela was signed by Lacoste as one of their endorsed tennis players in 2010. Lacoste, a well-known sports and lifestyle brand, added Sela to their roster of sponsored athletes that year along with 12 other tennis players from various countries.
At the time, Sela was noted as the 1st ranked Israeli player and 40th-ranked player worldwide.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| Career-High Ranking | 29 |
| Career Win-Loss Record | 143-195 |
| ATP Titles | 0 |
| Challenger Titles | 24+ |
| Grand Slam Best Result | 4th Round (Wimbledon 2009) |
Achievements
- Reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 29 in July 2009
- Won the French Open 2003 junior doubles title
- Reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2009
- Finished runner-up in ATP tournaments in Beijing (2008) and Atlanta
- Defeated several top 10 players, including David Ferrer, Andy Roddick, and Fernando González
- Won 24+ ATP Challenger titles, placing him among the all-time leaders in this category
- Represented Israel in the Davis Cup, playing a key role in the country’s 2009 semifinal run
FAQs
1. Who is Dudi Sela?
Dudi Sela is an Israeli former professional tennis player. Born on April 4, 1985, in Kiryat Shmona, Israel, Sela turned pro in 2002 and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 29 in July 2009. He was known for his skill in returning shots and his ability to compete against much taller opponents despite his relatively short stature of 5’9″ (175 cm).
2. What are some of Dudi Sela’s career highlights?
Some of Dudi Sela’s career highlights include:
- Reaching the fourth round of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships
- Finishing as runner-up in two ATP tournaments (Beijing and Atlanta)
- Winning 24 ATP Challenger events, placing him second on the all-time list of Challenger title wins
- Representing Israel in the Davis Cup, including notable wins against top-ranked players like Fernando González and David Ferrer
3. How did Dudi Sela perform in Grand Slam tournaments?
While Sela never won a Grand Slam title, he had some notable performances in major tournaments. His best result in a Grand Slam was reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2009. He also competed in other Grand Slams, including the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open, though with less success. In 2011, he faced Roger Federer in the second round of the US Open, losing in straight sets.
4. What was Dudi Sela’s playing style?
Dudi Sela was known for his intense and naturally combative playing style. Despite his relatively small stature for a professional tennis player, he was an excellent runner and skilled at returning his opponents’ shots. Sela played right-handed with a one-handed backhand, which was considered one of his signature shots.
5. How did Dudi Sela perform in the Davis Cup?
Sela was a key player for the Israeli Davis Cup team. He joined the team in 2005 and achieved several notable victories. In 2007, he upset Fernando González, then ranked No. 7 in the world, in a crucial match that helped Israel advance to the 2008 World Group. Sela also played a significant role in Israel’s semifinal run in 2009.
