History Maker Hady Habib Focused On Tennis, Not Politics After Australian Open Run - UBITENNIS

History Maker Hady Habib Focused On Tennis, Not Politics After Australian Open Run

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read
image via https://x.com/ITFTennis_es/

Australian Open history maker Hady Habib says his focus is on his game and trying to inspire others to take up the sport as he distanced himself from talk about getting into politics.

The world No.219 became the first player from his country to win a Grand Slam main draw match earlier this week after beating China’s Bu Yunchaokete in straight sets. Habib achieved the milestone after coming through three rounds of qualifying. His run in Melbourne came to an end on Wednesday when he was beaten by 14th seed Ugo Humbert in the second round.

“It’s always amazing to have Lebanese supporters in the crowd, and they’re really cheering for me and getting loud, and I think that was great to have them there.” Said Habib.

“Unfortunately I didn’t get the win, but I just really appreciate them being out there. Hopefully, I’ll be back, and I’ll do better things.”

Habib was born in Texas, USA, which is where he also attended university. Between the ages of six and 12, he lived in Lebanon which is where his father is from. It was in the Middle Eastern country where he developed his passion for tennis. Last year he won his first challenger title, becoming the first Lebanese player to do so, and represented his country at the Paris Olympics.

During a recent interview with Ubitennis, Lebanon’s Tennis Federation described Habib as a role model for others and shed light on how they help support his career. Something the tennis star aims to achieve.

“I hope to be a role model for the young generation, especially younger kids aspiring to be tennis players right now,” Habib commented.

“I hope this week has inspired a bunch of kids to start tennis and know that there is a pathway to get to this position.

I hope to do my best to help them and help the federation. Hopefully one day we’ll have more Lebanese tennis players at this stage.”

Lebanon’s tennis federation has fairly limited resources compared to others. The country has faced numerous challenges in its history with economic difficulties and civil war. More recently, a conflict between the group Hezbollah and Isreal is estimated to have killed more than 3000 people and displaced over a million.

Now in the spotlight, Habib is eager to keep going. However, when asked in his press conference about one day going into politics he was less enthusiastic.

“I don’t know what to say to be involved in any political position right now because I’m just an athlete,” he commented.

“I still follow the news, but right now I don’t really have much time with the tennis taking up a lot of my day and the physical part.”

Next week Habib will break into the world’s top 200 for the first time in his career.

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