The first day of the Australian Open will see history being made when Hady Habib steps onto the court to play his first round match.
The 26-year-old has already enjoyed a milestone run at Melbourne Park where he scored wins over Patrick Kypson, Tseng Chun-hsin and Clément Chidekh in the qualifying rounds to secure his place in the main draw. Becoming the first Lebanese player in the Open Era to do so at a Grand Slam singles event. To make it even more special, he achieved the landmark while playing at a major for the first time.
Habib was born in Texas, America, but moved to Lebanon at the age of six, where he developed his passion for tennis under the influence of his father. During the early stages of his career, he won 10 titles on the lower-level ITF Tour between 2018 and 2023 before his breakthrough. Last year, he became the first player from his country to win a Challenger title in singles and also participated in the Paris Olympic games. His first-round opponent was Carlo Alcaraz, whom he managed to win four games against before losing.
Now a Grand Slam main draw player, Habib’s rise has drawn praise from those at the Lebanese Tennis Federation (LTF).
“Hady’s success at the Australian Open is a historic moment for Lebanese Tennis and the entire country. It not only showcases the immense talent emerging from Lebanon but also highlights the potential of our athletes on the global stage,” a spokesperson told Ubitennis.
“His achievement is an inspiration to all, proving that with determination and hard work, Lebanese athletes can compete with the best in the world, and for sure we will take this opportunity to promote tennis more and more in our country.”
For a nation that has recently gone through instability, the hope is achievements like Habib’s will inspire the future generation of athletes. Lebanon once endured 15 years of civil war, as well as other armed conflicts with the most recent occurring between Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group Hezbollah (based in the country) and Isreal. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on November 6th that more than 3000 people have been killed by the conflict in just over a year. Israel has repeatedly stated their airstrikes were specifically targeting those linked to Hezbollah, which it designates as a terrorist organization. On top of this, more than one million people were displaced.
Given this turmoil, it would be tough for any sports federation to keep going, especially if they have limited resources and a lack of top names which could generate extra investment. Lebanon has also suffered from a severe economic crisis.
“The conflict has undoubtedly posed challenges for sports in Lebanon, including tennis. Limited resources, disrupted schedules, and concerns over safety have made it harder for players and coaches to focus solely on their craft,” the LTF said.
“However, the federation remained resilient, working tirelessly to provide opportunities for our athletes, to train and compete abroad at different levels.”
During a recent interview with SBS, Habib said he woke up every morning contacting his friends and family during the conflict to make sure they were ok. He currently resides between Beirut and America.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told SBS.
The LTF explains to Ubitennis that they support Habib’s tennis dream by ‘providing logistical assistance, working towards connecting him with sponsorship opportunities, and facilitating his participation in international tournaments.’ He is currently coached on the Tour by Argentina’s Patricio Heras.
“We are committed to nurturing his growth as an athlete while using his achievements to further promote tennis across Lebanon. Hady’s success reflects our ongoing efforts to develop and support talent despite the challenges we face,” the organization states.
“Hady is a role model for the Lebanese tennis community. In a country where opportunities can be limited, his story of perseverance, discipline, and success shows that dreams are achievable with hard work and dedication.
“However, the 2025 Australian Open made Hady an incredible role model for all Lebanese Youth in different sport. He represents hope and serves as an example for the next generation, inspiring them not only to pursue tennis but also to aim high in their respective fields.”
At the Australian Open, Habib’s first-round match will be against China’s Bu Yunchaokete on Court Six.
