The Israeli chasing Finals glory at Wimbledon
Guy Sasson has reached the final of the quad doubles at Wimbledon, having won at Roland Garros weeks ago. He speaks to the Jewish News about his hopes for victory
A blast of Israel-like temperatures and coaching from his kids over text helped propel Israel’s wheelchair tennis great Guy Sasson into the final of quad doubles at Wimbledon today.
The 45-year-old and partner Niels Vink comfortably defeated the the Chilean-British pairing of Francisco Cayulef and Andy Lapthorne 6-1 6-2 – moving the Israeli a step closer to his first title at the All England Club. Sasson and then teammate Lapthorne were defeated in the final last year.
Sasson has won the singles and doubles quads (for those who use a wheelchair and have some upper body impairment) at the French Open in Paris – the singles last year and both singles and doubles this year. His hopes of repeating both victories at Wimbledon ended on Wednesday in a third set decider in the quarter-final. But the chance of doubles glory remains.
“It’s one of my goals to win Wimbledon. It’s top of the mountain for me,” he told Jewish News after coming off court. “The prestige, the green, the colours. I wanted to do it in the singles and I had my chance but it didn’t go my way. Reaching the doubles final is huge though. Last year we lost in that final, so I feel that this year I’ve got to go one better.”
Despite loud support for the home favourite, the winning pair made light work of the first set and played their part in some epic rallies in the second. With the Chilean serving at four games to two down and 40:30, Sasson showed great touch at the net with a cross court winner to make it deuce. From there the Israeli-Dutch pair took the game and Sasson went on to serve out the match.
In January 2015, Sasson was snowboarding in France when he fell and tumbled 33 feet, sustaining major injuries to his back and legs. Doctors told him that he might never walk again. Following surgery on his spine and his hand and a year of rehab he did manage to walk but only with the aid of braces and canes.
He was introduced to wheelchair tennis during his rehabilitation, winning the Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship in 2019. Since then he has gone from strength to strength, winning a bronze medal in last summer’s Olympics in quad singles.
The Israeli suggested that the scorching temperatures “that I’m used to” helped him, along with the presence of his parents Nisim and Noga, brother Ben and eldest son Mohr. His other three kids were cheering on every point over text message, before, after and even during matches. They were on hand to reassure him that “there’s always next year” after the singles defeat.
He said: “It’s always big to represent Israel wherever I go . It means so much to so many people. I love when people come up and wish me good luck in Hebrew. I know it means a lot to them, especially now.
“I would really love the Jewish and Israeli community who live here to show up in big numbers and with the flag. It means a lot to people back home to see the supporters with the flag and screaming in Hebrew.”
And how would he celebrate if he wins tomorrow? “Let’s win first. Not many people have their names written on the walls of Wimbledon. It would be a huge achievement for me.”
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