About Steve

---

Steve Krulevitz was born on May 30, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jewish parents. He was raised in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore in a close-knit family that valued community and resilience, with his mother remaining an active member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation where Krulevitz had his bar mitzvah. Family research later revealed the tragic loss of his grandfather's entire extended family—22 members from Krakow—during the Holocaust at Auschwitz, a discovery that profoundly shaped his connection to his heritage.

Krulevitz grew up exposed early to the discipline and determination instilled by his parents. At age seven, he was introduced to tennis when a practice session for another sport was canceled, sparking his passion for the game through local Baltimore clubs. Alongside tennis, he developed interests in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, reflecting a multi-sport foundation nurtured in Baltimore's athletic community.

Later in life, Krulevitz acquired dual American-Israeli citizenship, influenced by his family's historical ties to Israel and the emotional weight of his Holocaust-era family history, which motivated his aliyah and representation of Israel in international competition.

Steve Krulevitz attended the Park School in Baltimore from 1965 to 1969, where he emerged as a dominant multi-sport athlete. In tennis, he excelled by securing four Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) singles titles, establishing himself as the state's top high school player during his tenure. His speed and agility, earning him the nickname "Lightning," were key to his success on the court, where he trained under local coach Maury Schwartzman.

Beyond tennis, Krulevitz demonstrated remarkable versatility across team sports. He earned First Team All-State honors in both soccer and basketball during his senior year in 1969, serving as point guard on an undefeated basketball squad and starring in soccer. He also shone in lacrosse, contributing significantly to the team's efforts as a leading performer in his final season. This breadth of achievement underscored his athletic prowess and ability to balance demanding schedules across disciplines.

Krulevitz's early tennis foundation extended to national junior competitions, where he traveled extensively and won seven consecutive boys' 12-and-under finals across the country, honing his skills against top young talents. These experiences at Park School not only built his competitive edge but also led to his selection for the United States Junior Davis Cup Team.

Steve Krulevitz attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he competed on the men's tennis team during the early 1970s. Building on his high school success, he earned a tennis scholarship and contributed significantly to the program's competitive efforts.

In 1972, Krulevitz captured the Pacific-8 (PAC-8) Conference singles championship, showcasing his prowess as a top collegiate player. The following year, in 1973, he was named an All-American and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA national championships, highlighting his skill against elite competition. 

During his time at UCLA, Krulevitz drew inspiration from the university's renowned coaching environment, including observations of legendary basketball coach John Wooden's practices, which influenced his understanding of athletic development. He balanced his tennis commitments with academic pursuits, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 1974; the program's coursework focused on sports science, physiology, and injury prevention, aligning with his interests in performance optimization.

Steve Krulevitz turned professional in 1973 while completing his studies at UCLA, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in 1974 at age 23. His status as a college All-American provided an initial boost in accessing professional opportunities.

Krulevitz encountered early challenges typical of the era, including financial difficulties and the demands of constant travel, prompting him to enter satellite tournaments to earn essential ranking points. In 1975, he achieved his first notable victory on the professional circuit by winning a U.S. challenger event. Known as "Lightning" for his exceptional quickness and footwork, Krulevitz often supplemented his income with part-time jobs amid the limited prize money available to mid-level players during those years.

Read more here.