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3. Roland-Garros: Habib and Hassan on a Mission in Paris

Hady Habib and Benjamin Hassan made a convincing start to the qualifying rounds at Roland-Garros. What if, this year, Lebanon finally made it into the main draw?

The dream begins with sweat. Every year, players from all over the world battle it out in the qualifying matches to earn their place in the main draw at Roland-Garros. On the Paris clay court, two Lebanese players did the country proud: Benjamin Hassan and Hady Habib, determined to make history.

First Winning Ball

On Monday, on a side court but with the same intensity as on the Philippe-Chatrier court, Benjamin Hassan (ATP 177) began his campaign against the Russian Pavel Kotov (ATP 146). A tense tussle, two tight sets and a gutsy victory: 7-6(3), 7-5. Solid behind his first ball and surgical with his backhand, Hassan was able to tighten up the game when the going got tough. The match came down to a few points, which he negotiated better. A victory that reflects maturity.

The following day, Hady Habib (ATP 155) took to the court. His opponent? Argentinian Facundo Mena (ATP 217), a rough and ready qualifier. Down a set to nothing, the Lebanese came out with his claws out. He came from behind to win the second set in a tie-break, before going on to win the third: 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 6-1. His rise to power speaks volumes about his current form.

Next Rounds: No Gifts

No time to rest. In the second round, Benjamin Hassan will face Frenchman Sascha Gueymard Wayenburg, backed by the home crowd. A test of mental strength. As for Hady Habib, he'll have his work cut out against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, seeded 12^th in the qualifiers, an Argentine left-hander with a silky backhand. But the two Lebanese players have nothing to lose. And everything to gain.

Habib, the Trail of a Pioneer

If there's one player who has already broken the glass ceiling, it's Hady Habib. Last January, at the Australian Open 2025, he became the first Lebanese player in history to win a match in the main draw of a Grand Slam. Against China's Yunchaokete Bu (ATP 65), he won in three authoritative sets: 7-6, 6-4, 7-6. His adventure then came to an end in the second round, against Hugo Humbert of France. A defeat, to be sure, but the feat had been achieved. And the message was sent.

A few months earlier, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Habib had already carried the Lebanese colors high. Competing in both singles and doubles with Benjamin Hassan, he was drawn against the Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz, world number 3, in the very first round.

Hassan, an Iron Mentality and a Slamming Backhand

Benjamin Hassan is not in the shadows. His steady progress on the ATP circuit has made him one of the most promising players in the MENA region. He's got fire in his legs, an eagle eye when it comes to relaunching and a will to win that shines through in every rally. His success against Kotov was no accident. It's the fruit of hard work. He also played in Melbourne and the Olympics, where he crossed swords with the best.

Lebanese Tennis That Dares and Believes

Lebanese tennis finally seems to be coming out of the woodwork. Habib and Hassan are part of an ambitious generation, trained abroad but attached to the flag, and carrying the hopes of a country. They are no longer here to participate. They want to win. And they want to put Lebanon on the map of world tennis with their heartfelt drop shots and furious passing shots.

At the French Open, Lebanon is no longer an extra. It's in the running. And ready to play its best.