September 2024, Paris, France — The absence of men’s, women’s, and quad wheelchair tennis at this year’s US Open has been noticed by many, but for good reason.
The world’s top wheelchair tennis players are currently in Paris, representing their countries at the Paralympics.
Among them are four Israeli athletes who have made impressive strides at the event, held at the iconic Stade Roland Garros, the same courts where the French Open takes place.
Israel is represented by Adam Berdichevsky, Guy Sasson, Sergei Lysov, and Maayan Zikri, all of whom are competing in the wheelchair tennis tournament that runs through September 7.
For these athletes, the Paralympics is a culmination of years of dedication, training, and overcoming challenges—both on and off the court.
Adam Berdichevsky’s Emotional Victory
Adam Berdichevsky, 40, made headlines on Friday with a significant victory. Berdichevsky, who lost his leg in a boating accident in 2007, defeated Luca Arca of Italy 6-2, 7-5.
This marks Berdichevsky’s first singles win at the Paralympics, following his debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Speaking about his triumph, Berdichevsky said, “I cannot say how much fun it was to represent my country like this.
The win, it was the first time I played in front of a crowd like this, and it felt like I played at home – it was very special. I was very happy I could give some good times to people amid all the bad days.”
Earlier in the week, Berdichevsky served as Israel’s flag bearer during the Paralympic opening ceremony.
“The flag bearing was amazing, to walk with the whole Israel team was amazing – and everyone saw me on TV,” he shared enthusiastically.
Berdichevsky will now face Chile’s Alexander Cataldo in the second round, with high hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
Sergei Lysov’s Paralympic Debut
Also competing on Friday was Sergei Lysov, a 20-year-old who was diagnosed with Perthes’ disease at age nine and moved to Israel from Russia in 2019. Lysov made his Paralympic debut in style, defeating Brayan Tapia of Chile 7-5, 6-1.
Lysov, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 17 earlier this month, faced a formidable challenge in his second-round match against Alfie Hewett, the tournament’s No. 1 seed.
Hewett, a nine-time Grand Slam singles champion and three-time Roland Garros singles titleholder, proved too strong for Lysov, defeating the Israeli 6-0, 6-1.
Despite the loss, Lysov’s performance in his debut Paralympics is a promising sign of his potential in future competitions.
Guy Sasson’s Success Continues
Guy Sasson, the Roland Garros quad singles champion and the tournament’s No. 3 seed, also delivered a strong performance.
On Saturday, Sasson won his first-round match against Francisco Cayulef of Chile with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory.
He followed this up with another dominant display on Monday, defeating Gregory Slade of Great Britain 6-1, 6-2 to secure his spot in the semifinals.
Sasson’s success at the Paralympics builds on his recent triumph at the French Open, where he won the quads title. The 2024 Paralympics offers Sasson the chance to add to his growing list of achievements.
Looking Ahead
As the Paralympic Games continue, Israel’s wheelchair tennis team remains a strong contender. With inspiring performances from Berdichevsky, Lysov, and Sasson, the athletes have already made their mark in Paris.
For these players, the tournament is not only about winning medals but also about representing their country and showing the world the resilience and skill of athletes with disabilities.
The Paralympics run through September 7, with more thrilling matches expected as Israel’s wheelchair tennis players continue their pursuit of glory on the international stage.