Guy Sasson Bio
Guy Sasson is an Israeli wheelchair tennis player born on April 28, 1980, in Ramat Gan, Israel. Competing in the Quad division, he has built a remarkable career that includes two singles majors at the French Open in 2024 and 2025, a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, and a highest world ranking of No. 3 in singles. His journey from a life-altering snowboarding accident in 2015 to the upper reaches of the international wheelchair tennis rankings has made him one of the most inspiring figures in the 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, and his mother, Venus, worked in education. He grew up alongside two younger brothers and played tennis as a child, an early interest that would eventually shape the course of his life.
Before turning to competitive wheelchair tennis, Sasson served in the Israel Defense Forces, an experience common to many young Israelis of his generation. He later attended the University of Michigan, broadening his education abroad. After completing his studies, he returned to Israel and founded a real estate company, establishing a professional life outside of sport.
Path to Wheelchair Tennis
In January 2015, Guy 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 about 33 feet, and suffered 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 informed him that he would not walk again.
After spending roughly a year in a rehabilitation hospital, Sasson was eventually able to walk out with the assistance of braces and canes. His recovery, determination, and gradual return to physical activity laid the foundation for his transition into competitive wheelchair tennis. He began training seriously in 2018 under the guidance of coach Ofri Lankri, marking the formal start of his professional career in the sport.
Guy Sasson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Guy Sasson began his competitive wheelchair tennis career in 2018, working with coach Ofri Lankri to develop his game in the Quad division. His early progress was steady, and within a year of taking the sport seriously, he captured his first national title. The win signaled his rapid development and his potential to compete at higher levels of the game.
In 2019, Sasson won the Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship, a result that confirmed his standing as one of the country’s top Quad players. This early success gave him valuable match experience and laid the groundwork for his subsequent international appearances.
International Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Sasson made his Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021, representing Israel in wheelchair tennis. Although he finished ninth, the experience of competing on the sport’s biggest stage helped sharpen his approach and gave him a clearer sense of the level required to medal. He continued to build his ranking through consistent performances in ITF events.
By May 2023, Sasson was part of the Israeli quad wheelchair tennis team that won the silver medal at the World Championship in Portugal, a significant team achievement that reflected the rising standard of Israeli wheelchair tennis. Later that year and into 2024, he added further titles, including the 2024 Victorian Wheelchair Open in singles and the doubles title at the 2024 Melbourne Wheelchair Open. At the 2024 U.S. Open in New York, he reached the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles, demonstrating his competitiveness on hard courts as well.
Grand Slam and Paralympic Success (2024)
Sasson’s biggest breakthrough came at the 2024 French Open, where he won his first major singles title in the Quad Singles event. In the final, he defeated Sam Schröder in a tiebreaker, a victory he dedicated to Israel and to four hostages who were released from Gaza on the same day. He also reached the finals at the 2024 Australian Open in both singles and doubles, underlining his consistency across surfaces.
Later in 2024, Sasson represented Israel at the Paris Summer Paralympics, where he won a bronze medal in Quad singles. He secured the medal by defeating Ahmet Kaplan of Turkey in the bronze medal match, completing a memorable year that also saw him reach a career-high singles ranking of No. 3 in the world and a doubles ranking of No. 4, both achieved on September 2, 2024.
Continued Excellence (2025)
At the 2025 French Open, Guy Sasson added another major trophy to his collection, partnering with Niels Vink to win his first Grand Slam doubles title. The victory highlighted his growing comfort in both singles and doubles competition and reinforced his position among the elite Quad players in the world.
Driving Style and Strengths
Guy Sasson is known for his competitive mentality and his ability to perform on the biggest stages of the sport. Working closely with coach Ofri Lankri, he has developed a well-rounded game suited to both clay and hard courts. His strong results in tiebreakers, including the 2024 French Open final, point to a player who thrives under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Guy Sasson’s signature achievements are his two French Open titles in 2024 and 2025, his bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and his career-high No. 3 world ranking in singles. He has also reached finals at the Australian Open and quarterfinals at the U.S. Open, confirming his status as a consistent performer across the Grand Slam calendar.
Guy Sasson Career Wins
Guy Sasson has compiled an impressive list of titles across singles, doubles, and team competition. His major victories include two French Open titles, a Paralympic bronze medal, an Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship, and a World Championship silver medal in the team event.
Grand Slam Highlights
Sasson won his first Grand Slam singles title at the 2024 French Open in Quad singles, defeating Sam Schröder in a tiebreaker. He followed this with a first Grand Slam doubles title at the 2025 French Open, partnering with Niels Vink. He has also reached finals at the Australian Open in both singles and doubles, and the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Grand Slams, Guy Sasson won the 2019 Israel Wheelchair Tennis Championship, the 2024 Victorian Wheelchair Open in singles, and the 2024 Melbourne Wheelchair Open in doubles. As part of Israel’s quad team, he won a silver medal at the 2023 World Championship in Portugal, and he earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Quad singles.
Guy Sasson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Guy Sasson was raised in Ramat Gan, Israel, by his father Nissim, who worked in real estate, and his mother Venus, who worked in education. He grew up with two younger brothers, one of whom served two months in the Israel Defense Forces reserves in Gaza. His family’s support played an important role in his recovery after his 2015 accident and his subsequent career in wheelchair tennis.
Personal Life
Guy Sasson is married to Dr. Aya Mohr-Sasson, a gynecologist. The couple has four children. Beyond his sporting career, Sasson founded a real estate company, reflecting the business background of his family. His personal story of resilience, from paralysis to Grand Slam champion, continues to inspire many in Israel and beyond.
2025 Season Performance
Guy Sasson began 2025 on the back of a career-defining 2024 season, in which he won his first major title and a Paralympic bronze medal. Carrying a career-high No. 3 singles ranking and No. 4 doubles ranking into the new year, he continued to compete at the top level of Quad wheelchair tennis. His partnership with coach Ofri Lankri has remained a steady influence on his development.
At the 2025 French Open, Sasson captured his first Grand Slam doubles title, partnering with Niels Vink to claim the Quad doubles crown. The result demonstrated his versatility and added a second major trophy to his collection, complementing his 2024 French Open singles title.
With consistent results across Grand Slams and Paralympic competition, Sasson remains a leading figure in the Quad division heading into the rest of the 2025 season. His combination of experience, tactical awareness, and competitive drive positions him well for further success on the international wheelchair tennis circuit.