Egypt is known for many things, and one of them is its talented tennis players. From the great players of the past who have achieved success on the international stage to the new stars of today, Egypt has an impressive tennis legacy.
From players who have reached the highest levels of success, to those who are still working hard to make their mark, here are some of the best tennis players in Egypt.
1. Ibrahim Badreldin-Sayed
Ibrahim Badr El-Din Sayed is an Egyptian tennis player who has made a name for himself in the sport’s history. Located in Cairo, Sayed is considered to be one of Egypt’s most prominent tennis players.
He represented his country in 17 matches of the Davis Cup between 1955 and 1962. During this time, Sayed was able to make a significant impact in the sport and ultimately become one of Egypt’s most successful players. Sayed’s career began in 1955 when he was only 19 years old.
He quickly gained attention when he was selected to participate in the Davis Cup. During the 7 year span that Sayed competed in the Davis Cup, he was able to win several matches.
In addition to his impressive record in the tournament, Sayed was also able to gain recognition for his skillful playing. Throughout his career, Sayed was able to gain a great amount of success.
He was able to reach the quarterfinals in the Egyptian Open in 1957 and also made it to the quarterfinals in the South African Open in 1959.
These accomplishments were a testament to Sayed’s skill as a tennis player and helped to cement his name as one of Egypt’s most successful tennis players. Ibrahim Badr El-Din Sayed’s legacy will forever be remembered in the history of Egyptian tennis.
His 17 matches in the Davis Cup between 1955 and 1962 were a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. Sayed’s accomplishments have paved the way for other Egyptian tennis players to follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves.
2. Ismail El Shafei
Ismail El Shafei is a renowned tennis player and executive from Egypt. His tennis career was highly successful, with six singles titles and eleven final appearances. After retiring from professional tennis, he became the president of the Egyptian Tennis Federation.
He has also been a member of the board of directors of the International Tennis Federation since 2012. Additionally, he is the chairman of the ITF Junior Circuit, helping to develop the next generation of tennis stars.
His influence in the tennis world is immense and his legacy is one of success and dedication.
3. Tamer El-Sawy
Tamer El-Sawy, born on the 11th of February 1972, is a retired professional tennis player from Egypt. He had a remarkable career in tennis, starting at a young age when he began representing his country in the Davis Cup at the age of 16.
His first successful tournament was the LSU Fall Showcase in 1992, where he won first place. Throughout his career, El-Sawy was known for his high level of skill and determination.
He was a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court and was respected by his peers for his talent. After retiring from tennis, El-Sawy has kept active in the sport, coaching and mentoring younger players and helping them reach their full potential.
He has also been involved in various charitable and educational initiatives, working to give back to his community.
4. Adli El Shafei
Adli El-Shafei was a highly accomplished tennis player from Egypt. He was part of the Davis Cup Team from 1946 to 1955, during which time he played 32 matches for the team.
He was the father of Ismail El Shafei and grandfather of Adli El Shafei II. Adli El-Shafei was a skilled tennis player who achieved a great deal of success while representing Egypt in the Davis Cup.
During his tenure with the team, he played 32 matches, demonstrating his determination and dedication to the sport. His legacy lives on through his son and grandson, both of whom have also achieved success in the world of tennis.
Ismail El Shafei, his son, has played in several Davis Cup tournaments and is currently the National Coach of the Egyptian national tennis team.
Adli El Shafei II, his grandson, is an up-and-coming young tennis player with the potential to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Adli El-Shafei’s legacy is one of success and dedication.
His achievements in the world of tennis have been passed down through his family, inspiring generations to come.
It is clear that his determination and passion for the sport has continued to live on through his descendants, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of Egyptian tennis.
5. Hisham Hemeda
Hisham Hemeda is an accomplished retired tennis player from Egypt. He was an important figure in the Davis Cup between 1994 and 2001, where he was able to amass an impressive record of 13 wins and 6 losses in 14 ties.
His skill was so impressive that it earned him the opportunity to play college tennis for the University of Georgia. In 1999, Hemeda was the captain of the University of Georgia’s team and managed to lead them to an NCAA team title.
This was a huge accomplishment that speaks to the caliber of his tennis career. Hemeda’s career is a testament to the skill and dedication of a great Egyptian athlete.
6. Aly El Dawoudi
Aly El Dawoudi is a renowned former Egyptian tennis player who was part of the Davis Cup. The Davis Cup is an international men’s tennis tournament that is held annually and is organized by the International Tennis Federation.
The tournament is contested by teams from different nations and is the world’s largest annual international team sports competition. El Dawoudi was a valued member of the Egyptian team and helped bring the country recognition and success on the global stage.
He was known for his tactical approach to the game and for his ability to read the court and his opponents’ moves. El Dawoudi was an integral part of the Egyptian team during his tenure and helped them to several tournament wins.
He was highly respected by his peers and was regarded as a role model by many aspiring tennis players. El Dawoudi’s career was tragically cut short after injuries began to take their toll on him and he was forced to retire from the sport.
Despite this, he is still remembered fondly by fans and players alike for his skill and determination on the court.
7. Adli El Shafei II
Adli El-Shafei Junior is an Egyptian tennis player best known for his Davis Cup appearances. He represented Egypt in the Davis Cup twice and earned a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1,071 in August 1992.
El-Shafei is highly regarded among the Egyptian tennis community and is a popular figure in the country. He is a role model for aspiring tennis players and serves as an example of what is possible with hard work and dedication.
El-Shafei is a strong competitor and has achieved success on the professional circuit. He is an inspiration to all young tennis players who dream of competing at the highest level.
8. Ola Abou Zekry
Ola Mohamed Tarek Al Said Abou Zekry is a former professional tennis player from Egypt. She is a very accomplished athlete who achieved a career-high WTA ranking of 441 in singles and 440 in doubles.
Her peak ranking was obtained on 20 July 2015 for singles and 29 February 2016 for doubles. Throughout her career, Abou Zekry won two singles titles and nine doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.
These accomplishments demonstrate her dedication to the sport and her hard work in achieving success. She is an inspiration for all aspiring athletes and a testament to the fact that with effort and dedication, one can succeed in any endeavor.
9. Magy Aziz
Magy Nader Aziz is a former tennis player from Egypt. She has had a successful career while representing her home country in the Fed Cup. Her win-loss record speaks for itself, having won 26 out of 47 matches.
This is quite remarkable considering she was competing against some of the best players in the world. Aziz has achieved a lot in her tennis career. Her many victories signify her hard work and dedication to the sport.
Despite her young age, she has made a name for herself in the tennis world. She is an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players in Egypt and around the world. Aziz has also been praised for her commitment to the sport.
She has been known for her ability to stay focused and motivated even during tough matches. Her determination and tenacity have earned her respect from her peers.
This is even more impressive when considering the fact that she has to juggle between her studies and training. Aziz has made a lasting impact in the tennis world.
She is a role model for many aspiring tennis players and her career serves as a reminder to them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her win-loss record of 26-21 is a testament to her commitment to the sport and her passion for tennis.
10. Mayar Sherif
Mayar Sherif Ahmed Abdel-Aziz is an Egyptian tennis player who has achieved considerable success in her career. On 19 June 2023, she achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 31 in singles, making her the highest-ranked Egyptian player in the Open Era.
This is an impressive feat that showcases her talent and dedication to the game of tennis. Additionally, she achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 88 on 11 July 2022.
This further demonstrates her skill in the game and her ability to compete at the highest levels of professional tennis.
Mayar Sherif Ahmed Abdel-Aziz is a remarkable athlete who has not only achieved impressive rankings in singles and doubles but has also become the highest-ranked Egyptian player in the Open Era.
This is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport and is a true inspiration for aspiring tennis players all over the world. Her success demonstrates that with the right attitude and determination, anything is possible.
11. Jaroslav Drobný
Jaroslav Drobný was a remarkable athlete who achieved international success in both tennis and hockey. He was the world No. 1 amateur tennis player and an ice hockey champion.
Despite his success, he felt the need to leave his home country of Czechoslovakia in 1949 and traveled as an Egyptian citizen. In 1959, he was granted citizenship to the United Kingdom and settled down there for the remainder of his life. He passed away in 2001.
Drobný was an inspiring figure who believed in the power of reaching for the stars. He was determined to pursue his dreams and did not let his country of origin stop him from achieving success.
He was able to find success in different countries and even become a citizen of the United Kingdom, a country he found to be more suitable for him. His story is one of hard work and dedication and serves as a reminder that anything is possible with the right attitude.
12. Mohamed Safwat
Mohamed Safwat is an Egyptian professional tennis player. He has been an active member of the Egypt Davis Cup team since 2009, and is currently the highest-ranked player from Egypt.
Safwat has had considerable success in his career, winning one singles and three doubles titles on the ATP Challenger Tour. He has also achieved a number of impressive results on the ATP tour, reaching the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
In doubles, Safwat has also been successful, claiming several Challenger titles and reaching the quarter-finals of the Miami Open two years ago. Safwat is a hard-working professional who has worked hard to become the top-ranked player from Egypt.
His record speaks for itself and he is an inspiration to young tennis players in his country.
13. Fathi Ali
Fathi Mohammed Ali is a former professional tennis player from Egypt. He achieved great success in his career, having won a silver medal at the 1963 Mediterranean Games. After his retirement from competitive tennis, Fathi Mohammed Ali decided to pursue a career in coaching.
He is currently based in Dreieich, Germany, where he works as a tennis coach. In the past, he has also served as a coach for the Davis Cup teams of Libya and Kuwait. Throughout his career, Fathi Mohammed Ali has been known for his dedication to the sport.
He has a strong passion for teaching and developing the next generation of tennis players. His experience and expertise have enabled him to be an invaluable asset to any tennis team.
14. Issam Haitham Taweel
Issam Haitham Taweel is an Egyptian tennis player who started playing when he was only 13 years old. He has since taken his training seriously and has been training hard in four different countries; Syria, Spain, the United States, and his home country Egypt.
This dedication to his training has helped him become one of the leading Egyptian tennis players in the world. It is clear that tennis is a sport that requires a lot of dedication and hard work.
Taweel has used his training to build an impressive resume, competing in various tournaments and winning many titles.
He has been successful in both singles and doubles events and has received recognition from the tennis world. Taweel has also been able to use his experience to help other players.
He has given advice to youngsters in Egypt and has been involved in the development of the game in his home country.
He has also been a part of the Tennis Federation of Egypt and has been involved in various programs to promote the game. Haitham Taweel has been an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players.
His success story shows that it is possible to achieve great success with hard work and dedication. He has set an example for others to follow and has shown that anything is possible with dedication and commitment.
15. Sherif Sabry
Sherif Sabry is a professional tennis player from Egypt who has been playing on the Egypt Davis Cup team since 2006. He has a very impressive record of 27 wins and 23 losses. His highest ATP singles ranking was 351, which he achieved on the 29th of September 2014.
He has achieved the highest ATP doubles ranking of 410, which he obtained on the 17th of May 2010. Throughout his career, Sabry has consistently proven to be a top competitor and a great asset to the Egypt Davis Cup team.
He has managed to continually improve and maintain his rankings, while also bringing home wins for his team. His hard work has earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of fans.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players and a true professional in the sport.
16. Tarek El-Sakka
Tarek-Shawki El-Sakka is an Egyptian former tennis player and current business professional. He has been in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry for over thirty years.
He has a wealth of experience in the sector and has made a significant contribution to the industry. El-Sakka’s tennis career was also impressive, and he was a silver medalist in both singles and doubles at the 1983 Mediterranean Games.
After that, he chose to further his studies and went to the United States to play college tennis for the Southwestern Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. He was an integral part of the team and helped them win several matches against their opponents.
El-Sakka is a successful professional who has achieved excellence in both tennis and business. He is an inspiration to many aspiring athletes and business professionals and has shown that success in one field can be translated into success in another.
His commitment to excellence and hard work has helped him reach the heights he has achieved.
17. Ahmed El-Mehelmy
Ahmed El-Mehelmy was a professional tennis player from Egypt. He was known as one of the best tennis players in the Middle East and was a fixture on the international tennis scene for many years. He was an all-round player, possessing great skill and power.
He was the first Egyptian to ever reach the quarter-final of the French Open in 1979. El-Mehelmy had a great record in singles and doubles play throughout his career. He won several international tournaments, including the French Open in 1978 and the US Open in 1979.
He was a finalist in the Australian Open in 1979 and was a member of the Egyptian Davis Cup team for five years. He was ranked as high as number 15 in the world in singles play. El-Mehelmy was a respected player and a great ambassador for the sport of tennis in Egypt.
He was known for his sportsmanship and was beloved by his fans. He was inducted into the Egyptian Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, a fitting tribute to a player who gave so much to the sport of tennis.
18. Rana Sherif Ahmed
Rana Sherif Ahmed is a former professional tennis player from Egypt. She had her highest ranking in the doubles rankings on 8 November 2010, where she was ranked 982. She has also represented Egypt in the Fed Cup, where she has an impressive win-loss record of 7-3.
Sherif Ahmed was a highly talented player who was sadly never able to reach her full potential due to her untimely retirement. Despite this, she was still able to achieve significant success in her tennis career, and her legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
19. Heidi El Tabakh
Heidi El Tabakh is a former professional tennis player who has the distinction of being both Egyptian and Canadian. She has seen success in both singles and doubles play, with her highest singles ranking by the WTA being 146, which she achieved in October 2012.
In addition, her career-high doubles ranking of 173 was set in February 2010. This demonstrates her impressive skill across both styles of play, and her ability to compete with the best in the world.
El Tabakh’s success in the sport is an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players from both Canada and Egypt.
20. Yomna Farid
Yomna Farid is a retired Egyptian tennis player who achieved a great deal of success in her career. She had a career-high WTA ranking of 607 in singles and 480 in doubles, both achieved in 2003. Farid’s greatest accomplishment was winning a doubles title on the ITF circuit.
She also had a successful stint playing for Egypt in the Fed Cup, where she had a win–loss record of 9–19. Farid’s impressive career has made her a celebrated figure in the world of tennis..
21. Lamis Alhussein Abdel Aziz
Lamis Alhussein Abdel Aziz is an Egyptian tennis player who, as of 6 June 2022, has risen to become the 586th-best singles player in the world. She has had an impressive career in the Fed Cup tennis competition, representing her home country of Egypt.
In this tournament, she has recorded a win-loss record of 3-9, indicating that she has had some great success on the court. Despite her losses, she has been able to maintain a positive attitude and is sure to be a great ambassador for her country in the coming years.
She is an exceptional athlete and a true inspiration to aspiring tennis players everywhere.
22. Mai El Kamash
Mai El Kamash is an accomplished former professional tennis player from Egypt. She was highly successful in her career, achieving rankings of 913 in singles and 876 in doubles, according to the Women’s Tennis Association.
Her success was highlighted by her winning of one doubles title at tournaments of the ITF Women’s Circuit. This achievement is a testament to El Kamash’s talent and dedication to the sport of tennis.
Throughout her career, El Kamash consistently demonstrated her skill and prowess, which was recognized by the Women’s Tennis Association.
Her winning of the doubles title was the crowning achievement of her career and is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
23. Betsy Abbas
Beatrice “Betsy” Abbas was a highly accomplished tennis player from South Africa, who was born in Egypt. She had an impressive career and made many accomplishments in the sport. In 1960, she participated in the French Championships.
She made it to the quarterfinals, where she was unfortunately defeated by Mexican player Yola Ramírez. Despite this setback, she still had a successful run in the tournament. In 1952, she played in singles at the Wimbledon tournament.
She made it to the second round but was unable to go any further. She was beaten by British Pat Harrison. Overall, Beatrice “Betsy” Abbas had an impressive career in the sport of tennis.
She was able to make it to the quarterfinals of the French Championships and the second round of the Wimbledon tournament. Her efforts should be recognized and admired.
24. Omar Assar
Omar Muhammadi Muhammad Muhammad Assar is an impressive Egyptian table tennis player. He achieved great success at the 2011 Arab Games in Doha, earning a silver medal in the singles competition and a gold medal in team play.
His achievements at the 2011 Arab Games helped him gain recognition in the table tennis world. Assar also competed at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics in the Men’s singles. Despite his talent and dedication, he was defeated in the second round on both occasions.
This did not deter him, as he continues to practice and improve his skills in order to achieve better results in future competitions.
Assar has become an inspiration to many aspiring table tennis players in Egypt, and he is a reminder that with dedication and hard work, even the most seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome.
He has proven that success is attainable even in the face of adversity, and his story serves as an inspiration to us all.
25. Khalid Assar
Khalid Assar is an impressive Egyptian table tennis player. He has had the honor of competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the Men’s Singles category. During this tournament, he unfortunately lost to Wang Jianan of Congo in the preliminary round.
Despite this setback, Khalid was able to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to his own accomplishments, Khalid has the unique distinction of having a brother who is also an Olympian.
His brother, Omar Assar, is a fellow Olympian who has also competed in several major international sporting events. The Assar brothers are a true testament to the power of family and hard work.
Both of them have dedicated a great deal of time and energy into reaching the Olympic stage, and it is clear that their efforts have paid off. With Khalid competing again in 2020, it will be exciting to see what heights he can reach in the sport of table tennis.
26. Ahmed Saleh
Ahmed Saleh is an Egyptian professional table tennis player who has participated in two Olympic Games. He made his Olympic debut in 2008 in the men’s individual event, where he was unfortunately knocked out in the second round by Damien Éloi of France.
Four years later, he returned to the Olympics in the men’s team event. Although Saleh was not able to win a medal at either of the Olympic Games, his participation is still a testament to his dedication and talent as an athlete.
Conclusion
The best tennis players in Egypt have shown that they have the skill and dedication necessary to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
From Mohamed Safwat’s impressive record of reaching the main draw of all four Grand Slams to Mayar Sherif’s historic victory at the French Open, these players have proven their ability to play at the highest level of competition.
With the current crop of talented players and the continued support of the Egyptian Tennis Federation, Egypt has the potential to become a major force in the world of tennis.
