In June, Israeli wheelchair tennis player Guy Sasson achieved a career milestone by winning the quad singles title at the 2024 French Open in Paris, marking his first Grand Slam victory.
Three months later, Sasson added another accomplishment to his resume by securing his first Paralympic medal, a bronze in the wheelchair tennis quad singles tournament at the same venue.
Defeating Turkey’s Ahmet Kaplan in a thrilling match, Sasson emerged victorious with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, earning Israel its ninth medal at the Paralympics. Despite a loss in the semifinals, Sasson’s determination and skill shone throughout the competition.
Following his French Open triumph, Sasson dedicated his title to Israel, coinciding with the rescue of hostages from Gaza. His bronze medal win came amidst national mourning as the bodies of hostages were recovered from Gaza.
Sasson expressed his emotions after the Paralympic win, stating, “If I managed to make people watching at home a little happy, especially the families of the fallen and the hostages, then I think we’ve done our part.”
Reflecting on the significance of the victories, Sasson mentioned drawing motivation from the stories of the hostages and victims, channeling their resilience into his performance on the court.
Originally from Ramat Gan, Sasson’s journey in wheelchair tennis began after a snowboarding accident in 2015 left him paralyzed from the knees down. Since then, he has climbed the ranks in the sport, culminating in his recent successes at prestigious tournaments.
Aside from his French Open and Paralympic achievements, Sasson has displayed consistent excellence in other major competitions, reaching finals and semifinals in various events throughout the year.