Israeli Tennis Star Mika Buchnik Joins Oklahoma Sooners

Israeli tennis talent Mika Buchnik has traded Grand Slam courts for campus life, joining the University of Oklahoma’s women’s tennis team this fall after a standout junior career that included appearances at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the Australian Open. At just 18, the Tel Aviv native is now part of a top-10 NCAA tennis program and a visible representative of Israel in the heart of America.

Buchnik, currently ranked No. 35 in the world among juniors, reached a career high of No. 18 earlier this year. She is also the first Israeli to win a J500 singles title, having taken home the Osaka Mayor’s Cup. Before her move to the U.S., she trained at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, and previously at the Dudi Sela Tennis Academy in Tel Aviv.

“I wasn’t thinking at all about going to college,” Buchnik shared. “But as time passed, I realized my tennis wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Going to college was the right decision. It allows for more time for tennis, which is the main thing in my life.”

She arrived in Norman, Oklahoma just one week before the U.S. Open juniors tournament, where she wore her yellow “Bring Them Home Now” bracelet and proudly competed as the only Israeli in the main draw. While she exited early, her presence did not go unnoticed especially among Jewish fans and fellow athletes. “It’s beautiful to see Israel, a small country and our home, represented in a Grand Slam event,” said one Yeshiva University player who watched her match.

Despite the challenges of a new environment and an English-speaking academic system, Buchnik has quickly adapted, noting that her primary focus remains tennis. She’s already begun training and classes even if she can't quite recall all the names of her courses just yet.

She was recruited by several major programs, including the University of Tennessee, Texas A&M, and the University of Virginia, but ultimately committed to Oklahoma without ever visiting. Her father, Golan Buchnik, called it “a very good team and a great coach,” referring to Audra Cohen, a Jewish former pro who has coached the Sooners since 2016.

“She will have no problems in Oklahoma,” he added confidently, noting that the team and the state have been welcoming.

Cohen, who has led the Sooners to national prominence, is joined by another Israeli player, Orel Kimhi, on the men’s team. Together, they are part of a growing cohort of Israelis making their mark in U.S. college sports.

Even as she begins this new chapter, Buchnik remains firmly tied to her identity. She continues to represent Israel with pride, on and off the court. With her signature grit and drive, she is proving that Israeli athletes can compete and thrive at the highest levels of international competition.

From Tel Aviv to Oklahoma, her journey is just beginning. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories of young Israelis making waves around the world.