‘Nice to get this win for Lebanon’: the qualifier inspiring a war-torn country

Australian Open qualifier Hady Habib has gone through most of his tennis career without managing to make much of a dent on the public consciousness.

But all that changed on Sunday when the world No. 219 stepped onto court 13 at Melbourne Park in front of a boisterous knot of Lebanese fans and claimed a straight-sets victory over China’s Yunchaokete Bu.

Lebanon’s Hady Habib during the first round.Credit: AP

Habib became the first Lebanese player to win a men’s singles match in the main draw of a grand slam. For a nation ravaged by war, it was a welcome moment of celebration and national pride.

“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 hundreds of Lebanese fans stayed courtside to the end, waving flags and greeting him like a king with chants of “Habi, Habi, Habi” on match point.

Habib said he had never received a reception like it.

“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.

“As you guys could see there, the crowd was absolutely wild. It made it even more special to win in front of them.”

The reaction in Melbourne and back home in Lebanon, where his parents still live, has been unbelievable, says Habib.

“The support I’ve been getting has been incredible,” he said. “My phone has been absolutely blowing up. Just all my family back home. I actually have some family from Sydney that came out to watch.

“It’s been a special time for me to have all the Lebanese people join in the community. I felt the energy out there. They definitely helped me get through that win tonight.”

Habib was born in Texas but lived in Lebanon between the ages of six and 12, which is when he began playing tennis.

While he initially represented America, Habib changed his allegiance to Lebanon at 15. He said he hoped his breakthrough win could boost the sport in his home country.

“I wouldn’t say it’s at its best right now,” Habib said of tennis in Lebanon. “Hopefully, things will change. I hope that my win today or yesterday would make that change.”

Habib will face World No.14 Ugo Humbert in the second round, where it’s likely he’ll be upgraded to a bigger court.

“Hopefully, there’s going to be a larger audience to watch me play my next match,” Habib said. “I think it would be better if I played on a bigger court so that more Lebanese people can come out and watch me.”

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