Tennis is a widely popular sport in Morocco, and the country has produced some of the world’s best players. Over the years, Morocco has seen some of its best tennis players compete at the highest levels of the sport, winning grand slams and other major championships.
From Younes El Aynaoui, Morocco’s first professional tennis player, to the current world number one, Rafa Nadal, Moroccan players have made their mark on the international tennis scene.
We will take a look at some of the best tennis players in Morocco, and their achievements in the sport.
1. Younes El Aynaoui
Younes El Aynaoui is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. During his career, he won five singles tournaments on the ATP Tour, the highest level of professional tennis. He had his greatest success in 2003 when he achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No.
14. At the time, he was already 31 years old, making him one of the oldest players to reach such a high position in the rankings. Throughout his career, El Aynaoui earned a reputation for being a hard worker and a great competitor.
His ability to remain consistent over the years made him a fan favorite and an admired figure in the tennis world.
He was known for having a strong serve and a powerful backhand, which helped him to win multiple tournaments. El Aynaoui’s success on the court was also due to his dedication to his craft. He worked hard to perfect his technique and develop his strategy.
He was always willing to put in the extra time and effort necessary to improve his game. Although El Aynaoui retired from professional tennis in 2013, he still remains an important figure in the sport.
He is remembered for his hard work and dedication to the game, as well as for his impressive accomplishments. He is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players all over the world.
2. Hicham Arazi
Hicham Arazi is a former professional tennis player from Morocco who had a successful career from 1993 until 2007. A left-hander, he achieved his highest ATP singles ranking of world No. 22 on November 5, 2001.
He was a very accomplished player, managing to win the ATP Tour singles title in Casablanca. Arazi was one of the best tennis players to come out of Morocco, and he was very successful in his long-spanning career.
He was well-respected in the sport, and his accomplishments are still talked about today.
3. Karim Alami
Karim Alami is a retired tennis player from Morocco, who began his professional career in 1990. Throughout his career, Alami was known as a talented right-hander who was able to win two career titles in singles.
The first of these titles was achieved in 1996, and the second was won in the same year. Alami achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 25 in February 2000, which was a huge accomplishment for him.
Throughout his career, Alami was admired for his talent and dedication, as well as his ability to consistently reach high rankings. He retired from the sport in 2005, leaving behind a long legacy of success.
4. Lamine Ouahab
Lamine Ouahab is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He was born on October 2, 1983 and began his career on the ATP Tour in 2004. Ouahab enjoyed considerable success at the Challenger level, reaching the finals in seven tournaments and winning four.
He also made it to the quarterfinals at the 2008 French Open. In 2011, Ouahab was suspended from tennis for 18 months after it was found that he had committed a doping violation.
After the suspension was lifted, Ouahab returned to the tour but was unable to regain his form and has not played a competitive match since 2014. As a result, he is now an inactive professional tennis player.
5. Omar Laimina
Omar Laimina is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He was born and raised in Casablanca, the capital of Morocco. During his Davis Cup career which lasted from 1972 to 1983, Laimina won 20 rubbers for Morocco.
Rubbers are individual matches that are part of the Davis Cup tournament. After his career as a player, Laimina became the non-playing captain of the Morocco Davis Cup team in the early 1990s.
This means that he led the team from the sidelines, providing advice and guidance to the players during the matches. Laimina’s contributions to Moroccan tennis are highly valued and respected.
6. Elliot Benchetrit
Elliot Benchetrit is a professional tennis player from Morocco who formerly represented France. He started playing tennis at an early age and was able to work his way up the ranks of the professional tennis world.
On 10 February 2020, he reached his highest singles ranking of No. 198. Benchetrit also had a successful doubles career, having achieved his highest ranking of No. 198 on 10 June 2019.
In 2021, Benchetrit made the switch from France to Morocco, signifying a new chapter in his career. He is now representing Morocco in international tennis competitions and is hoping to make a name for himself on the international stage.
With his hard-working attitude and dedication to the sport, there is no doubt that Benchetrit will continue to have a successful career in the years to come.
7. Adam Moundir
Adam Moundir is a unique athlete, as he is of both Swiss and Moroccan descent. He is a professional tennis player who has been competing in the sport since 2009.
In June of 2019, he made the decision to switch his nationalities on the ITF and ATP to represent Morocco, his father’s homeland.
This was a significant decision, as it allowed him to represent his heritage and compete in more tournaments. Moundir has had considerable success in his career, achieving a career-high ATP singles ranking of 437 on November 18th, 2019.
This was the highest ranking he had achieved in his career to date. Additionally, he also holds a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 529, which he achieved in March of 2020. Moundir’s success is certainly impressive, and he continues to be a force in the tennis world.
He is an excellent example of a hardworking and dedicated athlete, and he has proven that he can compete with the best of them. Despite switching nationalities, he has been able to achieve great heights in the sport and further his career.
8. Younes Lalami Laaroussi
Younes Lalami Laaroussi is a professional tennis player from Morocco. He achieved his career-high singles ranking of 915 on the 8th of August, 2022, and his career-high doubles ranking of 849 on the 9th of January, 2023.
Prior to his professional career, Lalami played college tennis at Old Dominion University. He had a successful career there, which helped him to prepare for the rigors of professional tennis.
Lalami is a hardworking and dedicated athlete, who is constantly striving to improve and reach his full potential.
He has already achieved some impressive rankings in both singles and doubles and with continued hard work, he has the potential to become a top-level professional tennis player.
9. Yasmine Kabbaj
Yasmine Kabbaj is a talented Moroccan tennis player. She made her debut in the WTA Tour at the 2022 Morocco Open, where she was given a wildcard to compete in the doubles draw. She was partnered with Ekaterina Kazionova for her debut match.
Kabbaj went on to make history in July 2022, when she won her first senior title on the ITF Circuit at the $15K Casablanca tournament. This was a major accomplishment for her, as it marked her first victory in the professional tennis circuit.
She has since gone on to compete in several other tournaments and is continuing to make her mark in the tennis world.
10. Abdel Nadini
Abdel Nadini is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He spent most of his life in Morocco, but in 1986, he decided to move to France. Specifically, he chose to settle in Royan, a commune in the southwestern part of the country.
Since then, he has been living there, making it his home for the past 34 years. Right after he moved to France, Abdel Nadini began to focus on his tennis career. He participated in several tournaments and became a known figure in the tennis scene.
He was able to reach the final in several tournaments and even won some of them. During his career, he also got the opportunity to play against some of the greatest players in the world.
Even though he is now retired from professional tennis, Abdel Nadini still remains active in the local tennis scene. He is known for providing coaching lessons to up-and-coming tennis players, as well as giving motivational speeches.
He is also a regular figure at the Royan Tennis Club, where he plays with other members. Thanks to his impressive tennis career and passion for the sport, Abdel Nadini has become a renowned figure in Royan and the surrounding area.
He is highly respected by the local community, and is a great inspiration for aspiring tennis players.
11. Hicham Khaddari
Hicham Khaddari is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He enjoyed a successful career on the court and was active on the Davis Cup team from 2011-2014.
During his time with the team, he competed in a total of six ties, and was able to secure four singles wins and one double win. His success on the court was a source of pride for the Moroccan people, and his legacy as an athlete will likely be remembered for many years to come.
Khaddari’s accomplishments are a testament to his skill and dedication as a tennis player, and it is clear that he made a lasting impression in the world of professional tennis.
12. Yassine Idmbarek
Yassine Idmbarek is a Moroccan tennis player who has achieved a great deal of success in his career. He holds a career-high ATP singles ranking of 659, which he achieved on 18 January 2016.
Additionally, Idmbarek holds a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 641, which was attained on 19 October 2009. Idmbarek made his ATP main draw debut at the 2012 Grand Prix Hassan II in the singles draw, further cementing his place in the world of professional tennis.
This debut was the beginning of a successful career in the sport, as Idmbarek has been able to make his mark in the ATP rankings. He is now a well-respected and successful tennis player from Morocco, and his success is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players from the region.
13. Amine Ahouda
Amine Ahouda is a professional tennis player from Morocco. He has achieved great success in his career, reaching a high of No. 668 in the ATP singles rankings. This was achieved on the 19th of June, 2017. Furthermore, he has also achieved a high of No.
882 in the ATP doubles rankings, which was reached on the 29th of October, 2018. It is clear that Amine Ahouda has been making great progress in his career and is proving to be a great competitor in the world of tennis.
He continues to strive for excellence and his success is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
14. Arafat Chekrouni
Arafat Chekrouni is a former tennis player from Morocco who achieved international recognition through his participation in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he competed against Italy’s Paolo Canè in the second round.
Although he was not successful in his attempt to advance further, Chekrouni was proud to represent his native country on the international stage. In addition to his Olympic appearances, Chekrouni also achieved great success in the world of professional tennis.
On 27 October 1986, he achieved his highest singles ATP ranking, becoming World Number 369.
This ranking was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to the sport and was a source of pride for the Moroccan athlete. Chekrouni’s career as a tennis player was one of determination and dedication to the sport.
Although he was not able to realize his dream of becoming a world champion, he was able to achieve recognition as one of the best in his field and serve as an inspiration to others.
His achievements serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication required to succeed in the sport of tennis.
15. Reda El Amrani
Reda El Amrani is a talented tennis player from Morocco. He has been playing professionally since at least 2010 when he achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 160. This ranking was set in June 2010, and Reda has been striving to improve ever since.
He is highly dedicated to the sport and has a great work ethic, which has helped him to stay at the top of his game. Reda El Amrani has an impressive tennis portfolio.
His achievements include making it to the quarter-finals of the Marrakech Challenger tournament in 2011 and reaching the Round of 32 at the ATP Challenger Tour in Tunisia in 2013.
He has also competed in several tournaments in Morocco, as well as playing in the Davis Cup for his country in 2011. Reda El Amrani is a great example of what dedication and hard work can achieve in the sport of tennis.
He has shown that, with the right attitude and commitment, even a player from a small country can excel in the game. His achievements are a testament to his determination and drive, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the future.
16. Mehdi Tahiri
Mehdi Tahiri is a retired professional tennis player from Morocco. He was a dedicated athlete and represented his country in the Davis Cup for many years, from 1993 to 2006.
Tahiri had a long and successful career as a tennis player, competing in numerous international tournaments and representing Morocco in the Davis Cup.
During his time in the Davis Cup, Tahiri and the Moroccan team faced opponents from around the world, competing in both singles and doubles matches.
Tahiri was a key contributor to the team, often winning crucial points that enabled the team to progress further in the tournament.
After his retirement in 2006, Tahiri continued to stay involved in tennis, coaching aspiring young players and serving as a mentor and role model for the next generation of Moroccan athletes.
17. Nadia Lalami
Nadia Lalami Laaroussi is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. She was very successful during her career, winning two singles titles and two doubles titles in the ITF Women’s Circuit. Her greatest achievement in singles was reaching a world ranking of No.
322 on 19 September 2011. In doubles, her highest ranking was No. 427, which she achieved on 29 August 2011. This is an impressive record, which shows that Laaroussi was a talented and hardworking player.
She has definitely left an impression on the tennis world, and she will be remembered for her achievements.
18. Oumaima Aziz
Oumaima Aziz is a Moroccan tennis player who currently does not compete professionally. She achieved her highest ITF junior ranking of 185 on March 26th, 2018.
This impressive accomplishment is a testament to her skill and ability in the sport. Aziz made her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the 2018 Rabat Grand Prix in the doubles tournament, partnering with Diae El Jardi.
This was a significant milestone in her career as it marked her first appearance in a major professional tennis tournament.
It was a great accomplishment for both her and her partner, and it is likely that the experience will serve them both well as they look to further their careers in the sport.
19. Habiba Ifrakh
Habiba Ifrakh was a professional tennis player from Morocco. She was trained at the Wifaq Tennis Academy in Rabat and was an active member of the Morocco Fed Cup team between 1995 and 2009.
During that time, she achieved great success, winning seven singles matches and one doubles match across 14 ties. In addition to her work with the Morocco Fed Cup team, Ifrakh was also selected to represent Morocco at the Mediterranean Games and Pan Arab Games.
She was a highly successful tennis player who achieved great things for her country.
20. Lilya Hadab
Lilya Hadab is a professional tennis player from Morocco. She currently holds a career-high doubles ranking of 1097 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, which she achieved on 26 September 2016.
Hadab had her debut in the WTA main draw at the 2017 Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, playing in the doubles draw. This was an impressive feat, considering the high level of competition in professional women’s tennis.
Hadab’s rise to the WTA main draw is a testament to her dedication and hard work and has put her in a position to make an even bigger impact on the game.
She has achieved a great amount of success and recognition in a short period of time and is an inspiration to many young tennis players in Morocco and around the world.
Her achievements have opened the door to a new generation of Moroccan tennis players who have the potential to reach the highest levels of the sport.
21. Diae El Jardi
Diae El Jardi is a professional tennis player from Morocco. She has been playing the sport since her junior years and is now making a name for herself in the world of tennis. She has competed in numerous tournaments and has won many titles.
She is widely regarded as one of the best tennis players in Morocco. She has played in the Davis Cup and is currently ranked as the number-one female player in Morocco.
She is also a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). El Jardi has established herself as a skilled and formidable opponent on the court. Her aggressive and consistent playing style has earned her admiration from both onlookers and fellow players.
Her strong serves and groundstrokes have been instrumental in her success. She is a powerful and confident player who is always looking to improve her game. El Jardi is an inspiration for aspiring tennis players in Morocco.
She is a role model for young people who are interested in taking up the sport. Through her dedication and hard work, she has managed to achieve success in a field that is traditionally dominated by men.
Her story is a testament to the potential of any individual to make it to the top.
22. Lamia Essaadi
Lamia Essaadi is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. She achieved her highest singles ranking of 469 on April 30th, 2001, and her highest doubles ranking of 398 on November 9th, 1998. In her career, she won one singles title on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
Essaadi was an accomplished player during her career, reaching high rankings in both singles and doubles. Her singles ranking of 469 was a remarkable accomplishment, and her doubles ranking of 398 showed her proficiency in the sport.
She was also able to win a singles title on the ITF Women’s Circuit, which is an impressive feat for any tennis player. Essaadi’s career is an inspiring one, as she was able to reach high rankings and win a singles title in her career.
She is an example of what hard work and dedication can do in the world of professional tennis. Her achievements are certainly something to be admired.
23. Mouna Sabri
Mouna Sabri is a former Moroccan tennis player who was part of the Fed Cup team in 2003. She achieved a career-high ITF juniors ranking of 577 on 3 January 2000 and was a highly regarded player prior to her retirement from professional tennis.
After her retirement from professional tennis, Sabri went on to attend Drury University and in 2007 she won the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year award.
This award is given to the most outstanding tennis player in the conference and Sabri’s hard work and dedication on the court paid off when she was honored with this prestigious award.
It is clear that Sabri was an exceptional tennis player during her career and her accomplishments both on and off the court are admirable.
24. Rita Atik
Rita Atik is a Moroccan former tennis player who achieved a great deal of success in her career. In 2013, she was the top Moroccan finisher for the girls at the Mediterranée Avenir, an international tournament for junior tennis players.
Since then, she has competed multiple times in the main draw of the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, an annual tournament held in Morocco. She has consistently performed well at this tournament, making her one of Morocco’s top tennis players.
Her success in the tennis world has made her an inspiration to many young Moroccan players looking to make their mark in the sport.
25. Bahia Mouhtassine
Bahia Mouhtassine is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. She had a successful tennis career, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No.139 on 24 June 2002, the highest ranking achieved by any Moroccan player.
Mouhtassine was a powerful player, and her powerful forehand and consistent groundstrokes made her a formidable opponent in the singles game. In addition to her singles career, Mouhtassine was also successful in doubles.
She won three doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit and reached a career-high doubles ranking of No.186. Her strong serve and strategic doubles play made her an effective team player. Mouhtassine was known for her sportsmanship on the court.
She was respected by her opponents for her fair play and competitive spirit. Off the court, she was known for her generosity and her enthusiasm for helping young players develop their game.
She retired from professional tennis in 2007. Mouhtassine’s outstanding career as a professional tennis player has left a lasting legacy in the Moroccan tennis community. Her success has inspired many young players to strive for excellence and reach their goals.
She is remembered as an important figure in Moroccan tennis and a true champion of the sport.
26. Lina Bennani
Lina Bennani is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. She was born in Casablanca, the largest city in the country. During her tennis career, Bennani participated in six Fed Cup ties for Morocco between 2008 and 2011.
She mainly played doubles but she was also successful in singles. In 2010, she won her only singles rubber against Elaine Genovese from Malta. Bennani has been praised for her hard work and dedication to the sport.
She was a mentor to many young tennis players and served as an ambassador for the sport in Morocco. Her achievements in the sport have been an inspiration to other Moroccan athletes. Bennani has received many awards and accolades for her achievements in the sport.
In 2011, she was presented with the Medal of Merit from the Moroccan government. This medal is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the country. She was also inducted into the Moroccan Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Bennani is now retired from professional tennis and is enjoying her retirement. She works as a coach and mentor to young players in Morocco and is active in the community. She is a role model for aspiring athletes in her country and continues to promote the sport of tennis.
27. Lina Qostal
Lina Qostal is a professional tennis player from Morocco. She has achieved a great deal of success in her career, with one of her biggest accomplishments being a doubles title on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
This title has catapulted her to become one of the top tennis players in the world, as evidenced by her reaching her highest doubles ranking of world number 792 on 10 November 2014. This ranking is a testament to her strong skill at the game, and her dedication to the sport.
Qostal’s success has been an inspiration to other Moroccan tennis players and is a great example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.
28. Mehdi Ziadi
Mehdi Ziadi is a former Moroccan tennis player who achieved remarkable success during his career. He reached a career-high in the ATP singles ranking of 531 on 5 November 2007 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 408 on 2 March 2009.
These impressive accomplishments demonstrate his dedication and determination in the sport. Ziadi made his ATP main draw debut at the 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II. This was a major milestone in his career, and it marked the beginning of a successful journey in the world of tennis.
He continued to compete in ATP tournaments until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his career, Ziadi showed a commitment to excellence in tennis. He was an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players, and he will be remembered for his achievements in the sport.
29. Mohamed Saber
Mohamed Saber is a professional Moroccan tennis player. He currently holds a career-high singles ranking of 1020, which he achieved on 17 September 2007.
Additionally, Saber has a career-high doubles ranking of 409, which was attained on 2 March 2009. Saber made his ATP main draw debut in 2008 at the Grand Prix Hassan II. This tournament was held in Casablanca, Morocco, and is an annual clay court event.
During the tournament, Saber was able to make a strong showing and made it to the main draw. This was a significant milestone for him in his tennis career and marked a great achievement for a Moroccan player.
Since then, Saber has continued to play professionally and has continued to represent his country in international tennis events. He has also been successful in numerous local tournaments in Morocco and has achieved further success in doubles play.
He is considered to be one of the best Moroccan tennis players and is an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players in his home country.
30. Anas Fattar
Anas Fattar is a professional tennis player from Morocco. He has achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 599 on 15 December 2008 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 455 on 9 August 2010. Fattar has had a successful career in doubles, having won 7 ITF Futures titles.
He has also represented Morocco in the Davis Cup, an international tennis tournament between teams from different countries. Fattar’s dedication and hard work have enabled him to become one of the most successful Moroccan tennis players.
He is an inspiration to all aspiring tennis players and a true example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
31. Jalal Chafai
Jalal Chafai-Alaoui is a former professional tennis player from Morocco.
He was born in the city of Salé, and as a junior, he achieved the title of Arab world champion. Chafai decided to pursue his tennis career in the United States and enrolled at Drury University, where he joined the Panthers, the university’s tennis team.
The team was coached by Moroccan Amine Boustani, who is also from Salé. By joining the Drury Panthers, Chafai was able to continue his development while playing at a competitive collegiate level.
He was able to benefit from the expertise of Boustani, who had a wealth of experience in the sport. Chafai’s time at Drury University was a successful one, as he was able to compete in tournaments and gain valuable experience.
His solid performances earned him recognition as an elite tennis player, and he eventually decided to turn professional. Chafai’s time in the United States was a major factor in his development as a tennis player.
Without the support of Boustani and the Drury Panthers, it is likely that Chafai would not have been able to reach his current level of success.
32. Khalid Outaleb
Khalid Outaleb is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He was born in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco.
Outaleb attended Florida Institute of Technology as a collegiate tennis player from 1983 to 1986 and was crowned champion of the Sunshine State Conference Singles Championships twice during his college career.
He was a highly successful player, and his accomplishments are a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. Outaleb was an inspiring figure to many, demonstrating what can be accomplished with ambition, effort, and determination.
He is a great example of how far one can go with the right attitude and commitment.
33. Mounir El Aarej
Mounir El Aarej is a former professional tennis player from Morocco. He was born in Casablanca, Morocco in 1972 and it was here that he took his first steps in tennis.
After playing locally and winning some tournaments in Morocco, El Aarej decided to take his career to the next level and went on to compete in international tournaments.
Throughout his career, El Aarej won four titles on the ATP Challenger Tour and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 199 in April 2005.
El Aarej also had the privilege of representing his country in the Davis Cup and was part of the Moroccan team that made it to the semi-finals of the competition in 2002.
After a long and successful career, El Aarej decided to retire from professional tennis in 2010 and now works as a coach in Morocco. He is known for his dedication to tennis and for helping to develop the next generation of players from his home country.
Conclusion
It is clear that Morocco has some of the best tennis players in the world. From the national team at the Davis Cup to the professional players competing in the ITF and ATP tours, Morocco has some of the most talented players in the world.
Although the country has yet to produce a Grand Slam champion, the players have consistently performed well at the international level. With the right support and guidance, it’s only a matter of time before Morocco produces a world-class champion.
