Guy Sasson Bio
Guy Sasson is an Israeli wheelchair tennis player born on April 28, 1980, in Ramat Gan, Israel. He is widely recognized for his achievements in the Quad singles division, having captured two French Open singles titles in 2024 and 2025. Beyond his Grand Slam success, Sasson earned a bronze medal representing Israel at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. His career is a story of resilience, having returned to elite competition after a life-altering accident.
Currently ranked as high as No. 3 in the world for singles and No. 4 for doubles, Sasson continues to compete on the international wheelchair tennis circuit. He is coached by Ofri Lankri and has become one of the most prominent Israeli athletes in adaptive sport.
Early Life and Background
Guy Sasson was born and raised in Ramat Gan, Israel, in a Jewish family. His father, Nissim, worked in real estate, while his mother, Venus, worked in education. He has two younger brothers and grew up in a household that supported his early interest in sports. As a child, Sasson played tennis recreationally, an experience that would later shape his athletic future.
After completing high school, Sasson served in the Israel Defense Forces, a common rite of passage for young Israelis. He then attended the University of Michigan in the United States, broadening his academic and personal horizons. Following his studies, he returned to Israel and founded a real estate company, establishing a professional career outside of sport.
Path to Wheelchair Tennis
In January 2015, Sasson’s life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed from the knees down in a snowboarding accident in Val Thorens, France. He fell approximately 10 meters, or 33 feet, suffering serious injuries to his back and leg. He was airlifted to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel, where he underwent major surgery on his spine and hand. Doctors told him he would not walk again.
After spending a year in a rehabilitation hospital, Sasson walked out with the assistance of braces and canes. Determined to remain active, he began playing tennis seriously in 2018. He quickly progressed in the Quad division, winning the 2019 Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship. This early success marked the beginning of his rise in the international wheelchair tennis rankings.
Guy Sasson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Guy Sasson began his competitive wheelchair tennis career in 2018, just three years after his accident. Working with coach Ofri Lankri, he focused on building his game in the Quad singles and doubles events. His dedication paid off when he captured the 2019 Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship, establishing himself as a domestic force in the sport.
During these formative years, Sasson adjusted to the demands of international competition. He developed the tactical discipline and physical conditioning required to compete at the highest levels of wheelchair tennis. These early experiences laid the foundation for his eventual breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage.
International Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Sasson represented Israel at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games, finishing ninth in his event. The experience of competing on the world’s biggest adaptive sports stage motivated him to push further. In May 2023, he was part of the Israeli quad wheelchair tennis team that won a silver medal at the World Championship in Portugal, a result that signaled his arrival among the elite players in the division.
Later that year, Sasson reached the semifinals of a Masters-level tournament, further demonstrating his growing consistency against top-tier opponents. He also competed in the 2024 U.S. Open in New York, reaching the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles. These performances helped him climb the world rankings and prepared him for his first Grand Slam title.
Grand Slam Success (2024–2025)
Sasson’s Grand Slam breakthrough came at the 2024 French Open, where he won his first major title. In the final of the Quad Singles event, he defeated Sam Schröder in a tiebreaker, dedicating the victory to Israel and to four hostages who had been released from Gaza that same day. He also reached the finals of the 2024 Australian Open in both singles and doubles that season, and advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2024.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Sasson won a bronze medal in Quad singles, defeating Ahmet Kaplan of Turkey in the bronze medal match. In 2025, he defended his French Open title in singles and added his first Grand Slam doubles title, partnering with Niels Vink. That same year, he won the doubles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and reached the singles semifinals at the U.S. Open, cementing his place among the sport’s leading competitors.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sasson is a right-handed player who uses a one-handed backhand. His game is built on strategic court coverage and consistency from the baseline, allowing him to extend rallies and capitalize on opponent errors. His partnership with coach Ofri Lankri has been central to refining his tactical approach and mental toughness on court.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sasson’s signature moments is his 2024 French Open victory, which he dedicated to Israel and the released hostages. His bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics stands as a defining achievement for Israeli adaptive sport. Reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 2 in November 2024 further marked his ascent to the top of the Quad division.
Guy Sasson Career Wins
Across singles and doubles, Guy Sasson has built a strong record in Quad wheelchair tennis, with notable success at the Grand Slam level. His career record stands at 222–110 in singles and 138–61 in doubles, reflecting his consistency and durability on tour.
Grand Slam Highlights
Sasson has won two French Open singles titles, in 2024 and 2025, establishing the tournament as his signature event. He reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open in singles and the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2024 and the U.S. Open in 2025. In doubles, he has won the French Open in 2025, Wimbledon in 2025, and the U.S. Open in 2025, often partnering with elite players such as Niels Vink.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Grand Slams, Sasson won the 2024 Victorian Wheelchair Open in singles and the doubles title at the 2024 Melbourne Wheelchair Open. He also contributed to Israel’s silver medal at the 2023 World Team Championship in Portugal. These results highlight his ability to perform consistently across both individual and team events.
Guy Sasson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Guy Sasson was raised in Ramat Gan by his parents, Nissim, who worked in real estate, and Venus, who worked in education. He has two younger brothers, one of whom served two months in the Israel Defense Forces reserves in Gaza. The family has remained a central source of support throughout his athletic journey.
Personal Life
Guy Sasson is married to Aya Mohr-Sasson, a gynecologist. The couple has four children. Despite the challenges of his 2015 accident, Sasson has built a stable family life alongside his demanding competitive schedule. His personal journey continues to inspire fans and fellow athletes around the world.
2025 Season Performance
Guy Sasson’s 2025 season has been one of the most successful of his career. He defended his French Open singles title and added his first Grand Slam doubles crown at the same event, partnering with Niels Vink. He followed this with doubles titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, establishing himself as a force in both singles and doubles.
On the singles side, Sasson reached the semifinals of the 2025 U.S. Open, showing continued consistency against the world’s best Quad players. He has maintained a top-five world ranking throughout the year, with his highest singles mark of No. 2 reached in late 2024 and a current ranking of No. 3.
With his doubles ranking holding at No. 4, Sasson enters the remainder of 2025 as a leading contender in the Quad division. His partnership with coach Ofri Lankri and his strong form position him well for further major finals as the season progresses.