AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 15, 2025

Hady Habib

Press Conference

U. HUMBERT/H. Habib

6-3, 6-4, 6-4

Q. I would like to ask you a question about the crowd that you saw today. How did you feel in this atmosphere?

HADY HABIB: It's always amazing to have Lebanese supporters in the crowd, and they're really cheering for me and getting loud, and I think that was great to have them there.

Unfortunately I didn't get the win tonight, but I just really appreciate them being out there. Hopefully I'll be back, and I'll do better things.

Q. I spoke with a lot of people in the crowd, and they told me that with the political situation in your country, maybe they would give you, like, a political role in the future because of your new status. What do you think about that?

HADY HABIB: I honestly don't have any thoughts about that. I'm just here to play tennis. I don't know. I don't know what to say to that, to be honest.

Q. Do you feel some pressure with this new status because for them you are like a hero now.

HADY HABIB: Yeah, I mean, I'm just focused on the tennis part and just being an athlete. I don't know what to say to be involved in any political position right now because I'm just an athlete. I didn't even hear about that, so I don't know what to say.

Q. Do you still read the news about Lebanon right now?

HADY HABIB: Yes, I still follow the news, but right now I don't really have much time with the tennis taking up a lot of my day and the physical part. You know, I just take a quick look, but I don't just spend my time on the news too much, yeah.

Q. Do you have some contact with your friends and family there? Do they talk about...

HADY HABIB: Right now we are on a cease-fire, so there's no war currently. They're all safe back home, and I hope for peace.

Q. Last question, do you think that you will become like a role model for the young generation in Lebanon?

HADY HABIB: That's a great question. I hope to be a role model for the young generation, especially younger kids aspiring to be tennis players right now. I hope this week has inspired a bunch of kids to start tennis and know that there is a pathway to get to this position.

I hope to do my best to help them and help the federation. Hopefully one day we'll have more Lebanese tennis players at this stage.