"I used to go to that abandoned court every day after school," he says. "There was no coach, no modern equipment, not even a net. But I felt like the game was magical."
The journey from those humble beginnings to professional tennis was far from easy. “In Lebanon, football is the number one sport,” he says with a laugh. “I had to explain to everyone around me that tennis can be a career too.” The challenges were many: lack of coaches, difficulties traveling for tournaments, and limited financial support. But Hadi’s persistence and love for the game constantly pushed him forward.
"There were days when I felt discouraged," he admits. "And every time I was close to giving up, I’d remember that little boy who played alone on the abandoned court. I owed it to him to keep going." And fate eventually rewarded him. In the 2025 Australian Open, Hadi played against the world’s 65th-ranked player, Chinese player Bu Yan Shaokit. “When I entered the court, I felt the weight of responsibility. I wasn’t just playing for myself, but for every Lebanese child dreaming of becoming a tennis player.” By the end of the match, he became the first Lebanese tennis player to qualify for the second round of a Grand Slam tournament. "I can’t describe the feeling. I heard the cheers of the Lebanese fans in the stands and felt that every sacrifice had been worth it."
For Hadi, this qualification is "just the beginning." He says, "I want to be a role model for Arab youth and prove that we can compete at the highest levels." Off the court, Hadi dreams of establishing a tennis academy in Lebanon. "I want to give children the opportunities I didn’t have, and help create a new generation of champions."
He shares a message with young people: "Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are and with what you have. I started playing with a rusty racket and a worn-out ball on an abandoned court."
When Hadi returns to his village of Mtayleb, he visits that old court where the story began. "I stand there and imagine the children who may come after me, carrying bigger dreams and knowing that the impossible can become possible." Hadi didn’t just break barriers—he gave hope to an entire generation. His story began with a small dream, great passion, and unwavering determination. Aren’t great achievements often the continuation of a child’s dream who refused to give up?