New Delhi: Hady Habib has scripted history as he has become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles draw. The 26-year-old tennis player, who was born in Texas and moved to Lebanon at an early age, picked up the art of tennis in the Middle East country. Because of lack of growth scope in the country and the turmoil, Habib returned to the US to pursue a career in the sport, where he feels he is representing the spirit of his birth place.
Qualifying for the Australian Open draw is quite a big thing for the talented tennis player, who advanced through as many as three rounds of the qualifying at the Melbourne Park, emerging triumphant in his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 over Clement Chidekh of France to get a place in the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts this Sunday.
Habib’s Olympic debut in Paris
Late in 2024, Habib scripted history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon in the Open Era. Prior to that, he made his Olympic debut in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, in the first round of then event. His personal success is big as it has come at a very tough time during the war phase between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
In an interaction with Australia’s SBS News in this week, Habib said that it was quite tough to wake up early morning amid the turmoil phase as he used to contact his family members and friends to find out whether they are okay. He was further quoted saying that his heart shattered to see what happened to the country and people.
Lebanese player Hady Habib has become player from the Middle East country in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles draw. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
