Hady Habib dedicates historic Australian Open victory to people of Lebanon

Hady Habib dedicated his victory to the people of Lebanon after becoming the first man from the battle-scarred country to win a match at a Grand Slam main draw.

Habib advanced to the second round at the Australian Open after seeing off China's Bu Yunchaokete 7-6, 6-4, 7-6.

“It’s a huge win,” said Habib, the world No 219 who won three matches in qualifying to reach the main draw.

“Especially what we’ve been going through as a country. I think to bring something positive, especially 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.”

More than a million people in Lebanon were displaced following Israel’s invasion of the country in October after simmering hostilities for a year ignited by the war in Gaza. A ceasefire was agreed in late November but the future remains uncertain.

Habib is based in the United States but has a Lebanese father and lived in the country between the ages of six and 12, beginning his tennis education in Lebanon.

“I still have a lot of friends back there,” he said. “My parents currently live there. The support I’ve been getting these last couple days has been incredible. My phone has been absolutely blowing up.”

Hady Habib celebrates with a Lebanese flag after winning his first round match against China's Yunchaokete Bu. Reuters

Habib, 26, secured entry to the Australian Open qualifiers by winning the Temuco Challenger in Chile in his final tournament of 2024.

It made Habib the first Lebanese tennis player in history to triumph at that level.

Habib and compatriot Benjamin Hassan became the first tennis players to represent Lebanon at the Olympics last summer.

Habib exited in the first round to French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, but said he gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to play at that level.

Australia’s Lebanese community, including Habib’s relatives from Sydney, came to Melbourne Park to cheer him on, creating a lively atmosphere around the small Court 13.

“It’s been a special time for me to have all the Lebanese people join in the community,” he said.

“I felt the energy out there. They definitely helped me get through that win tonight. The crowd was absolutely wild. It made it even more special to win in front of them.”

Habib will take on 14th seed Ugo Humbert in the second round on Wednesday.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.