By: Ariella Haviv

In a stirring display of athletic prowess and unyielding spirit, Israeli wheelchair tennis star Guy Sasson and his Dutch partner Niels Vink captured the Wimbledon quad doubles title on Saturday, delivering a commanding performance that reaffirmed their dominance on the Grand Slam stage. As reported on Sunday by i24 News, the duo overwhelmed South African Donald Ramphadi and Britain’s Gregory Slade with a decisive 6-0, 6-2 victory in the final — a result that marks a pinnacle moment in Sasson’s inspiring career.

This Wimbledon triumph is the second Grand Slam title this year for Sasson and Vink, who had already secured victory at the French Open just a month earlier. For the 45-year-old Israeli, however, this latest win carries unique personal and professional significance, as i24 News highlighted in its coverage. It represents his first-ever Wimbledon title, adding to a decorated career that has seen him rise to world No. 3 in the quad category.

“I’m proud of us; it’s my first victory here and I hope there will be many more,” Sasson told i24 News following the match, his words resonating with the emotion of a milestone long sought. “Wimbledon is a very special tournament. It’s something else. It’s the top of the mountain, there’s nothing higher.”

In a twist of sporting irony not lost on followers of the wheelchair tennis circuit, Sasson’s Wimbledon victory came at the expense of his former partner Donald Ramphadi. The two had previously clinched the Australian Open doubles title together in 2023, forging a successful partnership that now finds itself on opposite sides of the net in Grand Slam finals.

While Ramphadi teamed up with British player Gregory Slade for this tournament, it was the precision, chemistry, and unrelenting pressure from Sasson and Vink that proved decisive. As the i24 News report noted, the Israeli-Dutch tandem asserted dominance from the very first game, not allowing their opponents a foothold in a match that quickly became a showcase of their tactical superiority and relentless court coverage.

Sasson’s journey to Wimbledon glory is as remarkable off the court as it is on it. As i24 News reported, Sasson’s life took a dramatic turn in 2015 following a severe snowboarding accident in France that left him with a spinal cord injury. Facing the daunting reality of life in a wheelchair, Sasson embarked on a grueling path of rehabilitation and self-reinvention.

His breakthrough came at the Ilan Sports Center for the Disabled in Ramat Gan, where he first took up wheelchair tennis — a decision that would lead him to redefine both his athletic career and his personal narrative.

Sasson’s competitive spirit soon propelled him into the upper echelons of international wheelchair tennis. A bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Sasson made the significant shift two years ago from the “open” category (for athletes with lesser degrees of disability) to the “quad” category (reserved for players with severe disabilities) after his physical condition further deteriorated.

This transition only fueled his determination. His rise within the more challenging quad division, culminating in this year’s back-to-back Grand Slam victories, stands as a testament to his resilience and the depth of his competitive drive.

The significance of Sasson’s triumph was not lost on Israeli sporting and national leaders. Moshe Motz, President of the Israeli Paralympic Committee, hailed the achievement in remarks quoted by i24 News, stating, “Guy continues to bring honor and pride to Paralympic sport and to the State of Israel.”

For Israel, a country that holds its athletes — particularly those representing the Paralympic movement — in high esteem, Sasson’s victory at Wimbledon transcends sport. It serves as a powerful symbol of national pride and individual perseverance.

Sasson himself offered a deeply personal reflection following his historic win. In a statement imbued with emotion and national symbolism, reported by i24 News, he declared, “As the lion roars and as the young lion rises” — an unmistakable reference to recent Israeli defense operations named after biblical verses — “The people of Israel live.”

With Wimbledon now added to his growing list of achievements, Sasson looks poised to continue his ascent in the world of wheelchair tennis. His partnership with Niels Vink — now cemented by multiple Grand Slam titles — suggests a promising future filled with further accolades.

As i24 News reported, Sasson’s story resonates not only within Israel but across the global sporting community, embodying the spirit of resilience, determination, and excellence that transcends national borders and physical limitations.

For the Israeli public and his supporters worldwide, the sight of Guy Sasson hoisting the Wimbledon trophy stands as a moment of triumph in its purest form — a victory for sport, for perseverance, and for the unbreakable human spirit.

As the i24 News report observed, Sasson’s Wimbledon victory is more than a personal achievement. It is a beacon of hope and inspiration, reflecting the enduring truth that with grit, determination, and belief, even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome.