Former Israeli Footballer Finds New Purpose in Paralympic Tennis After Career-Ending Injury
Roy Abergil, once a promising footballer who played in Israel's top league, has found a new path in Paralympic tennis after a severe injury left him paralyzed. Abergil, 35, recently won a bronze medal with the Israeli national team at the World Championships in the United States, competing in the quad category alongside fellow medalists Noam Gershoni and Guy Shasson.
His life changed five years ago during a lower-tier league match when he fell awkwardly near a fence, breaking his neck and becoming paralyzed from the chest down. Abergil, who had previously played in the US college system and briefly returned to Israeli leagues, described the moment as a sudden loss of everything physical, leaving only his mind. He recounted the accident, where he lost his balance on uneven turf and hit his head on a metal fence, resulting in severe spinal cord damage.
Abergil, who began playing football at age six and pursued it through college in the US, where he studied economics and business administration, had dreams of playing professionally. However, after returning to Israel, he struggled with the facilities and culture of lower-league football. The injury occurred during a match in the fourth tier, Liga Bet, when he was 30.
He described the initial period after his injury as a shock, feeling like an object in the hospital and struggling to connect with others in rehabilitation due to the age gap. The sport of tennis, which he had played recreationally, became his coping mechanism and a way to channel his competitive spirit. He now competes in the quad category, which he notes is the most challenging due to the varying levels of disability among athletes.
While Abergil is focused on personal achievement and maximizing his potential in each tournament, he is not yet setting his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. He is still processing the trauma of his injury and seeking genuine enjoyment, rather than just using sport as a distraction. He credits friends, family, and the encouragement of fellow tennis player Eli Hayat for helping him transition to the Paralympic world.
