“Am Yisrael Chai”: Israeli Hero Guy Sasson Wins Wimbledon Quad Doubles Title
After a life-changing injury, Sasson’s journey from IDF soldier to wheelchair tennis champion inspires millions—with a powerful message on global television.
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In a stirring display of resilience and national pride, Israeli wheelchair tennis star Guy Sasson and his Dutch partner Niels Vink clinched the quad doubles title at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on Saturday, delivering a dominant 6–0, 6–2 win over South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Britain’s Gregory Slade.
But it wasn’t just the victory that captured headlines—it was Sasson’s declaration, live on BBC: “Am Yisrael Chai.”
Born in Ramat Gan, Sasson served in the Israel Defense Forces before studying at the University of Michigan. In 2015, a snowboarding accident in the French Alps left him paralyzed from the knees down. After intensive rehabilitation, he returned to sports in a wheelchair, driven by an unshakable will to compete—and win.
Since turning to wheelchair tennis in 2018, Sasson has become one of the top quad division players in the world. He won back-to-back French Open titles in 2024 and 2025, and earned bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, dedicating his Roland Garros victory to Israel and to the four hostages freed from Gaza that day.
Off the court, Sasson is a devoted father of four and husband to Dr. Aya Mohr-Sasson, and an active advocate for Israel’s disabled sports community.
At age 45, his Wimbledon triumph is not just a personal achievement—it’s a victory for the spirit of Israel.