01In brief
Steve Krulevitz is an American-born tennis player and coach who represented Israel in Davis Cup competition. He played in Israel’s February 1980 tie against Switzerland and later coached Israeli player Gilad Bloom for two seasons. Bloom recalled his strong emphasis on fitness, including an appearance in a suit and tie for their first match together despite 40°C heat in Adelaide, Australia.
02Career
In May 1975, Krulevitz was identified as a possible second-round opponent for top seed Guillermo Vilas at the British hard-court championships in Bournemouth; the anticipated pairing was not a reported match result.[3]
Krulevitz represented Israel against Switzerland in a February 1980 Davis Cup tie, when he was 28 years old and ranked 102nd by the Association of Tennis Professionals.[1] His opponent, 20-year-old Roland Stadler, was ranked 439th.[1] Krulevitz led 4–0 and won the opening set 7–5, but he struggled to adjust to Stadler’s both-handed play during the three-hour match; Stadler won the next three sets 6–2, 6–2, and 8–6.[1] Stadler’s victory gave Switzerland a 3–1 lead; Switzerland ultimately won the tie 4–1, eliminating Israel.[1]
As a coach, Krulevitz worked with Gilad Bloom for two seasons and placed particular emphasis on physical fitness.[2] Bloom remembered Krulevitz arriving at their first match together in Adelaide wearing a suit and tie, although the temperature was 40°C.[2] He also recalled that Krulevitz urged him to abstain from sex from the French Open through the U.S. Open, reasoning that he should conserve his energy for the Grand Slam tournaments.[2]
Sources
- 1Internet Archive, The Jerusalem Post (digitized), accessed on November 5, 2026.
- 2Globes, The tricks, winks, notes, drinks, accessed on November 5, 2026.
- 3Internet Archive, The Times , 1975, UK, English : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive, accessed on November 5, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who was Steve Krulevitz?
Steve Krulevitz was an American-born tennis player and coach who represented Israel in Davis Cup competition. He played in Israel’s February 1980 tie against Switzerland and later coached Israeli player Gilad Bloom for two seasons, emphasizing physical fitness.
What happened when Steve Krulevitz played Roland Stadler in the 1980 Davis Cup tie?
Steve Krulevitz lost to Roland Stadler in a three-hour match during Israel’s February 1980 Davis Cup tie against Switzerland. Krulevitz led 4–0 and won the opening set 7–5, but struggled against Stadler’s both-handed play; Stadler took the next three sets 6–2, 6–2, and 8–6. Switzerland went on to win the tie 4–1, eliminating Israel.
How did Steve Krulevitz coach Gilad Bloom?
Steve Krulevitz coached Gilad Bloom for two seasons and placed particular emphasis on physical fitness. Bloom recalled that Krulevitz arrived at their first match together in Adelaide wearing a suit and tie despite the 40°C heat. Krulevitz also urged Bloom to abstain from sex from the French Open through the U.S. Open, reasoning that he should conserve his energy for the Grand Slam tournaments.
Was Steve Krulevitz expected to play Guillermo Vilas in 1975?
Steve Krulevitz was identified in May 1975 as a possible second-round opponent for top seed Guillermo Vilas at the British hard-court championships in Bournemouth. The anticipated pairing was not reported as a match result.