MELBOURNE, Australia — Hady Habib has made history by continuing his impressive journey at the Australian Open, becoming the first man to represent Lebanon in a Grand Slam singles tournament and securing a match victory. He triumphed over China’s Bu Yunchaokete with scores of 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) during Sunday’s match, in front of a vibrant crowd.
“This is probably one of the most remarkable days of my career. The victory feels amazing—not just for me personally, but for Lebanon and our tennis community,” stated the 26-year-old Habib, who currently holds a ranking beyond the top 200 in the ATP Tour. “As you could see, the crowd was incredibly supportive, which made this win even more special. I truly felt the energy out there.”
Hady Habib originated from Houston, Texas, where he engaged in college tennis at Texas A&M University. He spent a portion of his childhood living in Lebanon, where his father hails from, from the ages of 6 to 12. It was during this period that he embraced the sport of tennis. Last year, he represented Lebanon at the Paris Olympics but faced an early exit against four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round.
His sporting achievements come during a tumultuous time in Lebanon, marked by conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. In November, a fragile ceasefire was reached following over a year of fighting. The tensions escalated on October 8, 2023, coinciding with a deadly attack from Hamas into Israel, triggering ongoing violence in Gaza. The fallout has claimed the lives of over 4,000 individuals in Lebanon, including many civilians.
“This win carries great importance, especially considering our country’s current situation,” Habib remarked. “It feels wonderful to secure this victory for Lebanon and for its people.”
Habib shared that he was motivated to play for Lebanon at the age of 15. “I wanted to represent the country that I grew up in and become part of its tennis culture. It was a decision made early on, and it continues to inspire me. Competing for a smaller nation holds special significance for me,” he explained.
Last week, he achieved to qualify for the tournament by winning three matches against lower-ranked players, earning a spot among the 128 contestants at Melbourne Park. With his recent victory, he has advanced to the second round, where he will face the 14th-seeded Ugo Humbert from France. Habib’s performance on Day 1 was marked by an impressive tally of 61 winners—36 more than his opponent.
“There’s certainly a degree of tension and various thoughts racing through my mind, but I try to concentrate on what I can control,” said Habib. “Focusing on those aspects seems to be beneficial for my game.”
