Lebanon’s Hady Habib hits a shot in opposition to China’s Bu Yunchaokete throughout their males’s singles match on day one of many Australian Open tennis event in Melbourne on January 12, 2025.| Photograph by Paul Crock / AFP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Lebanon’s Hady Habib made historical past Sunday on the Australian Open by changing into the primary participant from his nation to win a Grand Slam match.
World quantity 219 Habib is the one Lebanese ever, man or girl, to come back by means of qualifying and attain the principle draw at one of many 4 majors.
The 26-year-old continued his fairytale run with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over China’s Bu Yunchaokete in entrance of a frenzied crowd out on Court docket 13.
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He was draped within the Lebanon flag as he signed autographs after the match.
“That is in all probability probably the greatest days of my profession actually,” stated Habib.
“It’s such an unbelievable feeling to get this win not just for myself however for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.
“As you guys may see there, the group was completely wild. It made it much more particular to win in entrance of them.”
Born in America to a Lebanese father, Habib lived in Lebanon for a couple of years from the age of six and has been representing the nation since he was 15 when he first performed within the Davis Cup.
Habib additionally wore the Lebanon colors proudly eventually yr’s Paris Olympics the place he misplaced within the first spherical to Carlos Alcaraz.
“There have been positively extra individuals on the Alcaraz match,” smiled Habib.
“I feel there have been extra Lebanese individuals right this moment, so it felt just a little extra particular.
“The assist I’ve been getting these final couple days has been unbelievable. My cellphone has been completely blowing up.
“I even have some household from Sydney that got here out to observe. It’s been a particular time for me to have all of the Lebanese individuals be part of in the neighborhood,” he added. “Yeah, I felt the power on the market.”
His reward is a second-round match in opposition to France’s 14th seed Ugo Humbert.
“It’s an enormous win, particularly what we’ve been going by means of as a rustic,” stated Habib.
“I feel to convey one thing constructive, particularly we’ve been having a tough time with clearly the warfare. We had our different points up to now. It’s simply good to get this win for Lebanon and for the individuals.
“That is the most important achievement I’ve had in my whole profession.”
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