Lebanese Hady Habib hits a shot against Chinese Yunchaokete Bu during their singles match on Jan. 12, 2025, in Melbourne, during the first round of the Australian Open tennis tournament. (Credit: Paul Crock/AFP)
While Lebanon finally appointed a new president, Joseph Aoun, on Jan. 9, 2025, another Lebanese citizen was also making history for his country on the other side of the world. On the courts of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Hady Habib caused a sensation by becoming, after saving three match points, the first modern-era Lebanese player to qualify for the main draw of one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.After defeating his three opponents in qualifying, the 26-year-old player, who stands at 1.88 meters and born in Dallas, USA but originally from Metn. Three days later, he amplified his achievement by winning his first-round match against China's Yunchaokete Bu (ranked 67th worldwide). Although his journey ended in the next round against France's Ugo Humbert (ranked 14th), this saga, which thrilled the Lebanese public, allowed...
While Lebanon finally appointed a new president, Joseph Aoun, on Jan. 9, 2025, another Lebanese citizen was also making history for his country on the other side of the world. On the courts of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Hady Habib caused a sensation by becoming, after saving three match points, the first modern-era Lebanese player to qualify for the main draw of one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.After defeating his three opponents in qualifying, the 26-year-old player, who stands at 1.88 meters and born in Dallas, USA but originally from Metn. Three days later, he amplified his achievement by winning his first-round match against China's Yunchaokete Bu (ranked 67th worldwide). Although his journey ended in the next round against France's Ugo Humbert (ranked 14th), this saga, which thrilled the Lebanese public,...