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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 11, 2025
“The crowd was absolutely wild and it made it even more special to win in front of them,” said Hady Habib, who had just won his first match at a major by beating China’s Bu Yunchaokete 7-6, 6-4. 7. -6.
The former Texas A&M Aggie, who lived from age six to 12 in Lebanon and learned the sport from his Lebanese father, didn’t take for granted what his triumph meant to the nation as a whole.
“It’s a big win, especially what we’ve been through as a country. I think it brings something positive, especially we have had a difficult time with the war. We had other problems in the past,” he said. “Yes, it’s just good to get this victory for Lebanon and for the people.”
Habib was born in Houston, but has represented Lebanon since he was 15 years old.
“My father is Lebanese,” he said. “From the age of 6 to 12 I lived there and went to school there. I started playing tennis in Lebanon. I still have many friends there. My parents currently live there.
“Yes, I have represented Lebanon since I was 15 years old when I played my first Davis Cup match. Yes, that’s the story.”
The win, which earns him $132,000, will help him further his professional aspirations. Ranked 219th at the start of the Australian Open, the 26-year-old Habib is up to 163rd in the live rankings. He hopes he can use Sunday’s win as a spark, and he wants the same for his country.
Habib won his first Challenge title in Temucu, Chile in December 2024, then became the first player from his country to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw last week.
On Sunday he outdid himself again – Habib will face Ugo Humbert in the second round.
“This is the biggest achievement I’ve had in my entire career,” he said.
