‘Nice to get this win for Lebanon’: the qualifier inspiring a war-torn country
Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib has gone through most of his life as a largely unknown tennis player.
But all that changed on Sunday when he stepped onto court 13 at Melbourne Park in front of a boisterous bunch of Lebanese fans, and claimed a straight sets victory over China’s Yunchaokete Bu.
The world number 219 became Lebanon’s first player to win a men’s singles main draw match of a grand slam.
Lebanon’s Hady Habib during the first round.Credit: AP
For a nation ravaged by war, Habib’s victory was a rare moment of inspiration and pride for its people.
“It’s a huge win, especially [with] what we’ve been going through as a country,” Habib said.
“I think to bring something positive, especially [when] we’ve been having a rough time with obviously the war. We had our other issues in the past. It’s just nice to get this win for Lebanon and for the people.”
There were six hours of rain delays between the start and finish of Habib’s match as wild weather lashed Melbourne, but despite that, hundreds of Lebanese fans remained with their flags, greeting him like a king as they chanted “Habi, Habi, Habi” on match point.
It’s a reception Habib has never received before.
“This is probably one of the best days of my career honestly,” he said. “It’s such an incredible feeling to get this win not only for myself but for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.
