At the recent US Open wheelchair tennis competition, Israel was represented by two players embodying different stages of its wheelchair tennis community: Guy Sasson, a seasoned 46-year-old veteran, and Sergei Lysov, a rising 22-year-old talent. Sasson, who has experienced an impressive career in the quads division, captured three Grand Slam doubles titles this year and narrowly missed completing a calendar-year Grand Slam after falling short at the US Open. Lysov, who won the 2024 Israeli National Wheelchair Tennis Championship and competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, represents the younger generation emerging in the sport.
The landscape of Israeli wheelchair sports is evolving against the backdrop of the country’s recent conflicts, which have resulted in significant numbers of new war-related disabilities. According to data from the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Division in July 2026, approximately 26,200 wounded veterans and civilians have sought treatment since the onset of hostilities, including an estimated 97 amputations. This surge raises questions about the potential influx of newly disabled individuals who might turn to wheelchair sports, which could broaden the base of future elite athletes.
Boaz Kramer, executive director of the Israel ParaSport Center in Ramat Gan and a former two-time Paralympian and silver medalist in quad wheelchair tennis, emphasizes the long and challenging path from injury to competitive sport. A wheelchair user himself due to a congenital condition, Kramer advocates for adaptive sports as an important component of rehabilitation but notes the growing competitiveness of Paralympic disciplines. While he commends the increased visibility and professionalization of wheelchair sports, he also warns that the focus on elite performance could marginalize broader participation.
“This slow and steady metamorphosis comes with a cost,” Kramer said, highlighting the inherent tension in Paralympic sport between fostering inclusive participation and pursuing high-level competition. He argues that although sporting excellence requires talent, training, access to resources, and substantial support, systems should be designed so that elite success does not exclude athletes at lower levels.
Sasson’s own career reflects some of these complexities. His injury stemmed from a snowboarding accident in adulthood, and he initially competed in the open division before transitioning to the quads category as his condition progressed. Given the smaller size of the quads division, Sasson has found opportunities to excel that may not be replicable for all athletes, especially those who begin wheelchair use later in life without prior tennis experience.
Sasson acknowledges the demands of elite competition, stressing that success requires full-time commitment, discipline, and consistent effort. While welcoming new participants to the sport, he cautions against underestimating the level of dedication needed to reach the top tier.
Beyond individual achievement, Kramer views Sasson’s success alongside Dutch partner Niels Vink, one of the world’s leading wheelchair doubles teams, as symbolic for Israel’s standing in international sport. “It is not just about tennis,” Kramer said. “It is a strong statement on how Israel is more than what people think.”
As Israel faces a growing population of war-injured individuals, the development of wheelchair sports presents opportunities for both athletic achievement and community engagement. While some may pursue competitive excellence, many others could find rehabilitation, camaraderie, and renewed purpose through participation in these adaptive sports, shaping the future of Israeli wheelchair athletics.