PARIS — Israeli tennis player Adam Berdichevsky was overwhelmed with emotions before his wheelchair tennis match at the Paralympics today. Hailing from the kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, where he and his family feared for their lives during Hamas’ attack on October 7 last year, it was an emotional experience for Berdichevsky to play in front of other survivors from his home country. Berdichevsky, along with his wife Hila and their three children, sought refuge in their home during the attack and were later evacuated to Eilat, from where they currently reside in Houston, Texas.
During the match, a group of about 30 survivors from Nir Yitzhak showed up with Israeli flags and messages in Hebrew. “I went to see them before the match. I told myself it’s better to cry beforehand than to walk into the match and see them, as I would become too emotional,” he explained. “I cried before, because if I hadn’t, I would have cried during the match.”
Berdichevsky won his first match against Italian player Luca Arca with a score of 6-2, 7-5, despite having slept less than an hour the night before. All he could think about were the Israeli fans who had come to support him. “I just thought about giving them good vibes and winning,” said the 40-year-old Berdichevsky. “Winning and giving them some smiles.”
His wife Hila and their three children, aged 6, 9, and 10, cheered him on from the sidelines at Court Suzanne Lenglen in Roland Garros, where they even danced to the pop song “Freed from Desire” by Gala. “Only good things,” said Berdichevsky. “Seeing my kids and giving them a high five.”
Berdichevsky is a six-time national champion and has participated in the Paralympics three times. Seventeen years ago, he lost his left leg in a boating accident in Thailand. He also served as Israel’s flag bearer along with goalball player Lihi Ben David at the opening ceremony this past Wednesday. “Thanks to the boat, I am here (at the Paralympics). The boat, I see that as a good thing,” he remarked.
The tragic situation in Gaza, which arose when Hamas militants stormed Southern Israel and killed approximately 1,200 people, has had little impact on Berdichevsky. “Everything keeps running around in my head,” he said. “I talk to a sports psychologist about everything. I believe it helps mentally, because since then, nothing has really been important to me.”
As Berdichevsky secured the victory with a precise backhand shot, he ran over to his jubilant fans from his kibbutz, proudly raising the Israeli flag. “It was so special to have my audience from my kibbutz and from Israel,” he said. “I am very happy that I could give them some good moments.”
With strong support from his family and close community, Berdichevsky looks forward to the rest of the tournament with optimism, hoping to continue bringing joy to his fans and their deserving smiles.