Lebanon is home to some of the best tennis players in the world. From veteran players to up-and-coming talents, Lebanon has a rich history of tennis talent that is sure to continue into the future.
From world-renowned champions to promising young stars, these tennis players have proven that Lebanon is a powerhouse in the sport.
From the country’s first Grand Slam champion to the current crop of rising stars, these are some of the best tennis players that Lebanon has to offer.
1. Hady Habib
Hady Habib is a professional tennis player who was born in the United States but is of Lebanese origin. He has had a successful career in tennis, achieving a career-high ATP singles ranking of 408 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 960.
He has won 8 ITF Futures singles titles and 4 ITF Futures doubles titles. This indicates that Habib is not only a talented singles player, but also a formidable doubles competitor.
He has consistently performed well in both singles and doubles tournaments, demonstrating his versatility as a tennis player. His impressive record of achievements demonstrates his commitment to the sport and his dedication to improving his game.
2. Bassam Beidas
Bassam Beidas is a unique individual with a fascinating background. He was born in Britain, but is of Lebanese descent. He began playing tennis at a young age and went on to have a successful career as a professional tennis player.
He competed in singles and doubles events on the ATP Tour, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 126 in the world. He also won two Challenger titles and reached the semifinals of the ATP Tour event in Casablanca in 2001.
In addition to his competitive career, Beidas also served as a coach for many players, including top-ranked players such as Lleyton Hewitt and Amelie Mauresmo. He has also been a commentator for various tennis events.
Despite his retirement from professional tennis, Bassam Beidas remains an influential figure in the sport and an inspiration to aspiring tennis players around the world.
3. Giovani Samaha
Giovani Samaha is a professional tennis player from Lebanon. He has been playing tennis since he was a child and has developed a great passion for the sport.
He has competed in numerous tournaments around the world and has earned numerous awards and accolades for his performances. He is a two-time Lebanon National Champion and has represented his country in the Davis Cup.
He has also represented his country at the Mediterranean Games and the Arab Games. Giovani Samaha is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players in Lebanon and has become a great role model to many young people in the country.
He has worked hard to become the success he is today and continues to strive for excellence on the court. He is a great ambassador for the sport of tennis and the country of Lebanon, and his passion for the game is evident in all of his matches.
He has a great work ethic and is always looking to improve and become the best player he can be.
4. Benjamin Hassan
Benjamin Hassan is a professional tennis player with a unique background – he is of Lebanese and German heritage. His career-high ranking is at world No. 251, which he achieved on 17 July 2023.
This is a remarkable achievement as he competes on the world stage with players from all over the world. Hassan is also a representative of Lebanon at the Davis Cup, a prestigious international tournament between different countries.
He has an impressive record of 10 wins and 6 losses at the Davis Cup. This is a testament to his skill and dedication to his sport, as well as his country. He is a true inspiration to aspiring tennis players around the world.
5. Jicham Zaatini
Jicham Zaatini is a former Lebanese tennis player who was born in Maracay, Venezuela. He is known for his impressive career in tennis, achieving a career-high ATP singles ranking of 502 on August 10th, 1998, and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 278 on August 14th, 2000.
This is an impressive feat, as it shows the dedication and skill that Zaatini has demonstrated in his tennis career. Throughout his career, Zaatini has been able to sustain a high ranking in both singles and doubles.
This has made him a well-respected figure in the tennis world and has helped him to achieve success on the court.
Zaatini’s dedication to his craft has served him well, and his career-high ATP rankings are proof of this. Zaatini’s hard work and dedication have helped him to make a name for himself in the tennis world.
His impressive career-high rankings demonstrate his skill and his commitment to the game. While his career has come to an end, Zaatini’s legacy will live on in the tennis world.
6. Sean Karam
Sean Karam is an impressive example of someone who has achieved success in both tennis and coaching. He was born in Australia but has Lebanese descent. Growing up in Sydney, Karam was passionate about tennis and eventually pursued a career as a professional player.
He competed on the satellite tour and even represented Lebanon in the Davis Cup from 1997 to 2002. After ending his playing career, Karam made the decision to become a tennis coach in Shanghai.
His experience on the court has allowed him to pass on valuable knowledge to his students. Karam has become a role model for those who wish to excel in both sports and coaching. He shows that with hard work, dedication and passion, one can achieve great success in both areas.
7. Ali Hamadeh
Ali Hamadeh is a former professional tennis player who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Lebanon. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended the University of Mississippi, where he competed on the college tennis team.
In 1995, he and his doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi won the NCAA doubles championship.
This was a major accomplishment for Hamadeh, as it was the first time a team from the University of Mississippi had won the championship. Hamadeh’s career as a professional tennis player began shortly after he graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1995.
He represented Lebanon in the Davis Cup and achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 180 in 1997. Although he retired from professional tennis in 1998, Hamadeh has remained active in the sport, coaching and mentoring aspiring young players.
He now works as a tennis instructor and ambassador for the sport.
8. Patrick Chucri
Patrick Chucri is a highly accomplished former professional tennis player from Lebanon. He has represented his home country in numerous international competitions, including the Davis Cup from 2002 to 2014.
In 2005, Chucri was a part of the Lebanese team competing in the Mediterranean Games in Almeria, Spain. Additionally, he also participated in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
His impressive record of international representation showcases the dedication and skill he brought to the court during his professional career.
Chucri’s achievements demonstrate the strong influence of tennis players from Lebanon, and his efforts to represent his country on the world stage are commendable.
9. Vera Mattar
Vera Mattar was a Lebanese tennis player who made history by becoming the first Lebanese female to compete in a Grand Slam tournament.
She made her debut at the prestigious Wimbledon tournament in 1948, where she was set to take on American player Barbara Scofield in the second round. Unfortunately, Mattar was unable to come out on top and was defeated by Scofield.
Despite not having the result she hoped for, Mattar’s appearance was still an important milestone, as it opened the door for other Lebanese female tennis players to compete in the Grand Slams.
Her performance was a source of pride for the Lebanese nation, and her legacy will long be remembered.
Conclusion
The best tennis players in Lebanon have worked hard to become the best players in the country. They have achieved great success in both international and local tournaments, bringing glory to their country in the process.
With their perseverance and dedication to the sport, they have made a mark in the history of tennis in Lebanon.
While there are many more players who have the potential to reach the same heights as these players, it is clear that they have set a high standard for the rest of the players in the country to strive for.
