Melbourne, Australia — Hady Habib has made history by becoming the first Lebanese athlete to qualify for the men’s singles draw in a Grand Slam event during the Open era. His journey began at the Australian Open after he successfully navigated through three rounds of qualifying at Melbourne Park, ultimately defeating French player Clement Chidekh in a tense tiebreaker with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) on Thursday. This victory has secured his spot in the main draw of the prestigious tournament commencing this Sunday.
The ascent of Habib has been swift; he represented Lebanon at the Olympics in Paris last year, where he faced off against the notable Carlos Alcaraz, who would go on to win a silver medal and is a four-time Grand Slam champion. Those matches, particularly the first-round encounter, left a lasting impression on Habib.
In late 2022, he made a significant mark on the ATP Challenger Tour, becoming the first player from Lebanon to clinch a title in Temuco, Chile. At 26 years old, Habib’s roots trace back to Houston, Texas, although he moved to Lebanon at a young age where he developed his passion for tennis. He later returned to the United States to chase a professional career, where he feels a profound connection to the Lebanese people.
Habib expressed the emotional weight of representing Lebanon, especially considering the sacrifices needed to reach this stage. “While it may be just a sport, representing Lebanon and everything I’ve endured to be here reflects the resilience of our nation,” he shared in a recent interview with Australia’s SBS News.
His accomplishments come at a precarious time due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The war has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement among the Lebanese population. A ceasefire was reached on November 27 after more than a year of violent confrontations, which escalated following the rocket attacks initiated by Hezbollah in response to a deadly Hamas incursion into Israel on October 8, 2023.
Habib detailed the emotional toll this war has taken on him, stating, “Every morning, during these difficult times, I would check in on my family and friends to ensure they were safe. My heart breaks to witness the suffering in our country.” He acknowledged the mental strain of feeling powerless to assist, but he expressed hope that the situation is stabilizing and that peace may soon be achievable.
As the 219th-ranked player prepares for his first match in the main draw, he has been matched against 65th-ranked Bu Yunchaokete from China.
