This is Hady Habib, the man who made history with just one victory

Streaming Australian Open live tennis

🎾 Lukas Klein vs Sebastian Korda

* You can watch and bet on this match live here..

Just a couple of months ago, Hady Habib was getting ready to face his last tournament of the year 2024. The particular event took place in Temuco, Chile, 13,709 kilometers away from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, the country he represents. He arrived at the event outside the top 300, with a single shot to fulfill his dream. The specific dream was to participate in the qualifying rounds of his first Grand Slam, and the single shot consisted of winning the title. There was no other possible option. His serve, a true cannon, was his best ally in overcoming obstacles throughout the week: the dream would crystallize in the most epic way, in a final of over three hours that ended up turning him into a true pioneer. Habib had just qualified for the 2025 Australian Open.

Two months later, that dream that started as a remote possibility has become bigger than he could ever imagine. The first champion of a Challenger in Lebanon's history became the first tennis player to play in a Grand Slam in Lebanon's history... and just a few hours ago, the first player to win a main draw match in a Grand Slam in Lebanon's history. It may sound like a tongue twister, but these are nothing but historic statements, feats that elevate him to a special category and attest to a country reeling from the ravages of war.

Because Lebanon, bombarded by Israel (which claims to target Hezbollah facilities, considered a terrorist organization), has seen over 3,800 of its compatriots perish in recent months due to these attacks. On the outskirts of Beirut, the city where Habib grew up and discovered his love for tennis, the echoes of bombs continue to resonate, forcing over a million people to leave their homes and relocate to safer areas. In times of need and devastation, sports become a glimmer of light, and Hady's successes are celebrated by the numerous Lebanese diaspora present in Australia.

"My heart is shattered seeing what is happening to our country and our people. Mentally it was very tough for me to accept that I couldn't do anything to help; I only hope for peace soon," stated Hady a few weeks ago, on the eve of his first Grand Slam adventure. After defeating Buyunchaokete and achieving his first victory on such a stage, hope took center stage in his post-match press conference. "It's a huge win, especially considering what our country is going through. I think about wanting to give something positive to my country, especially in the midst of a war. It's fantastic to be able to give this victory to Lebanon and all its people. The support I am receiving is overwhelming; my phone is about to explode from so many messages. I have family in Sydney who came to see me, and it's great to see all the Lebanese fans supporting me at the stadium. They helped me win this match."

A LIFE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND LEBANON AND AN EMOTIONAL DECISION

Hady Habib's life has been split between two countries: the United States, where he was born (specifically in Houston, Texas) and where he went to university, and Lebanon, where he lived for six years and started playing tennis. "My father is Lebanese. I lived there from 6 to 12 years old, went to school there, and started playing tennis in Lebanon at the age of nine. I still have many friends there, and in fact, my parents live there. I have been representing Lebanon since I was 15 when I played my first Davis Cup match." Haby tells the press, dispelling a doubt that lingered in many minds: Why did he not choose to represent the United States, a country that could offer him greater economic prosperity?

"I grew up in Lebanon and was heavily influenced by the values of the people there. I wanted to represent the country where I grew up and be part of that tennis culture. It's a decision I made when I was young, which gives me immense motivation to move forward. Playing for a smaller country is very special to me." After that journey in the Arab country, Habib returned to the United States to pursue his dream of being a professional tennis player: he went through American college and became one of the standout players in his country until, of course, making the leap to professionalism, where his monstrous serve and composure on the court already allow him to compete with the best.

From Australia, he will leave at least in the top 170, completing a jump of over 150 positions in just two months (or really, three weeks: the one in Temuco and the two he's spent in Australia). "My goal when I arrived here was to qualify for the main draw. I achieved that. Today, I stepped on the court with the goal of fighting for every point, playing my best tennis. This is the biggest success of my entire career." Emotion overtakes Habib's speech, who admitted some time ago that every morning he would wake up and the first thing he would do each day was ask his family if they were safe or if they had been hit by a bombing. Meanwhile, his hope to provide motivation to a suffering country never wavered: just weeks later, he found his reward amidst the exuberance and joy of compatriots dreaming thanks to him. His next challenge, against Ugo Humbert, will be the prize for a man who simply wants to keep growing... and, in the process, make history for Lebanese tennis.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Este es Hady Habib, el hombre que hizo historia con solo una victoria