‘My success gives people hope’: Guy Sasson triumphs at Wimbledon
The Wimbledon quads wheelchair doubles champion talks to the Jewish News after his finals victory
Guy Sasson didn’t expect to become a professional athlete in his 40s. “I got injured 10 years ago, when I was 35,” he said after his victory at Wimbledon. “I used to play tennis when I was a kid… not professionally, but I learned the technique and the tactics. After my injury, wheelchair tennis was part of my rehabilitation. One step led to another — and here we are.”
On Saturday, “here” meant Court 3 at the All England Club, where Sasson and his Dutch partner Niels Vink won the 2025 quad wheelchair doubles title in straight sets. For Sasson, the Wimbledon victory was a long time coming.
“Last year, I made it to the semi-finals in singles and the finals in doubles, so I couldn’t get a hold of the trophy,” he said. “Finally, I did.”
The pair — who also won the US Open and Roland Garros — credit their success to shared trust and strategy. “Niels is the best player in our category,” Sasson said. “I know how to use his advantages and mine to play well and win the points. We feel comfortable together.”
Sasson had narrowly missed a shot at singles glory earlier in the week. “I had a match point, and it didn’t go my way at the end of the day.” But in the days that followed, he drew strength from a message sent by a supporter. “They quoted a verse from the Bible — “‘We will rise like a young lion.’ It’s something Bibi and others have used during times of war, and it stayed with me. It reminded me that people were watching — and I still had something to fight for.”
Though he lives in Houston with his wife and four children, Sasson represents Israel on tour. “It’s always special to win for Israel. I know how many people in Israel are watching, how many good reactions and text messages I get. My success gives people hope — especially now, with so many injured soldiers, so many people affected by war.”
Asked whether he’s faced challenges competing internationally as an Israeli, Sasson was direct: “To tell the truth, everywhere I go — Melbourne, London, Paris, New York — I’ve never had a bad reaction. Everyone knows I’m Israeli. Everyone knows I represent Israel. And the support I get is amazing.”
After the final, his 15-year-old son was the first to greet him. “He said, ‘Great win, Abba — but you need to perfect your volley,’” Sasson smiled. “That’s what you get from your kids.”
Next up is the US Open and another shot at the singles title. “That’s still the dream,” he said.
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