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Jordanian Abdullah Shelbayh keen to dazzle on Arab soil at Jeddah’s Next Gen Finals

Jordanian Abdullah Shelbayh is looking to cap his strong 2023 campaign with a memorable performance at the upcoming Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. (X: @MoselleOpen)
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Updated 24 November 2023
Reem Abulleil
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Jordanian Abdullah Shelbayh keen to dazzle on Arab soil at Jeddah’s Next Gen Finals

  • Talented lefty hopes to finish season on a high with strong showing at 21-and-under event
Updated 24 November 2023
Reem Abulleil

With a career-high ranking next to his name and a maiden Challenger title under his belt, rising Jordanian Abdullah Shelbayh is looking to cap his strong 2023 campaign with a memorable performance at the upcoming Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

The event, which features eight of the best players on the ATP Tour aged 21 and under, is into its sixth edition and will be staged in Saudi Arabia for the first time following a five-year stint in Milan.

Shelbayh, who turned 20 earlier this month, was awarded a wildcard into the tournament and is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talent on Arab soil.

After starting the year ranked 473 in the world, the Rafa Nadal Academy player has shot up the charts to crack the top 200 for the first time and land at 187 this week.

The Amman native scooped his first Challenger trophy in Charleston last month and posted the first two ATP match wins of his career — in Banja Luka and Metz.

Shelbayh also claimed three victories over top-100 opponents over the last nine months and will now take his tricky lefty game to the courts at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City, where the Next Gen Finals will take place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.

 

 

“I was trying to get in with my own points, but it was tough to make. Many other players had really good seasons, and I couldn’t make it by ranking, unfortunately. But then two weeks ago, I was told about the wildcard and I was very happy of course. It’s a great opportunity for me to play in an Arab country, so I’m very blessed with this opportunity,” Shelbayh told Arab News in an interview.

The Next Gen Finals, held in collaboration with the Saudi Tennis Federation, is the first ATP tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia and is likely the start of lots more tennis to come the Kingdom’s way — something Shelbayh believes will be beneficial for players across the region.

“I think it’s a great move from them, very smart,” said Shelbayh. “I think that’s one of the main things the Arab world needs in terms of development for tennis. Having such great events in the Arab world will help push the players and (allow) for federations to create more players and have the sport bigger and bigger in the Arab region.

“This move from the Saudi federation was, I think, the smartest business-wise but also in terms of helping future generations in the Arab world.”

Besides showcasing the tour’s top young talent, the Next Gen Finals have been used by the ATP to test new rules and innovations in a fast-paced format across five days of competition.

As per previous editions, the scoring format will be best of five tiebreak sets. Each set will be first to four games with a tiebreak played at 3-3. Games will be played using the No-Ad scoring format with the server choosing the service box.

This year, the focus will be on introducing ways to enhance fan experience and enrich data and analytics for players and coaches. One method to achieve that is through wearable devices that will allow players to track and visualize biometric data during matches, providing a comprehensive overview of their physical performance and stress responses.

To speed up play, there will be no on-court warm-up, meaning a match will start immediately after the coin toss and a new maximum of eight seconds will be introduced between first and second serves.

“I know the rules are different, they’re very unique, but that’s what makes this tournament very special,” said Shelbayh.

“It’s going to bring out the best of each one of us because it’s going to be tougher on all of us. The matches are going to be tighter, more intense, but it’s going to be more fun for the fans to watch, since you’re going to have many close matches.”

Many of today’s household names on tour have competed at previous editions of the Next Gen Finals including former world No.1s Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz, who won the tournament in 2021 and became a Grand Slam champion less than a year later at the US Open.

 

 

Could it provide a launchpad for Shelbayh entering 2024?

“There are many great players that have played the Next Gen Finals. Many players had breakthrough seasons the year after or two years later, but I’m not thinking that much about it,” said Shelbayh.

“Of course, it could be a great opportunity for me to push through and have a jump that can help me with my confidence for next season, start well and have another breakthrough. But I’m not going to (pay) much attention to that and put too much pressure on myself.

“I just want to enjoy the opportunity, give my best and hopefully get a good result. I’ll take everything step by step and not look too much into the future to avoid the bad pressure I can put on myself.”

Shelbayh has enjoyed a fast rise in tennis, but it hasn’t come without its challenges. He started 2023 in style, making the final of the Challenger event in Bahrain in February, which was just his third participation at that level.

 

 

In April, he successfully made it through qualifying at an ATP event for the first time and things seemed to be developing nicely for the then-teenager. But by July, he hit a rough patch and he lost in the opening round at seven of his next 10 events.  

He felt his rapid ascent had forced him to skip some essential steps and was playing catch-up on every front — physically, technically and emotionally.

“Skipping those steps was not helpful for me because then you kind of feel lost and I felt lost at some points and some tournaments,” he confessed. “Dealing with that was not easy because it was my first year on tour and everything (was) happening way too fast for me. I didn’t realize the importance of each department of tennis — the tennis part, the psychological part, the fitness part; skipping a few steps here and there held me off for some time.

“I paid the price, but at the same time it’s a good problem to have since you realize you had a good rise, a quick one, you just got to get back to those few steps, the important ones in order to go back up again and do well in your tournaments.”

Things turned around for Shelbayh in Charleston, where he stormed to the title and reaffirmed his status as a rising star to watch.

“I would say it was mixed emotions after winning my first Challenger title. A bit of relief, a lot of joy. I got emotional,” said Shelbayh.

“Even if I would have won the title in Bahrain, I think this title would have been more meaningful for me because of the struggles that I had in the previous months.

“The week turned out to be very good for me, I would say the most special and the most important of my career so far.”

Shelbayh’s very last week of the season prior to the Next Gen Finals was also special. He made it through qualifying to earn a slot in the main draw at the ATP tournament in Metz, France and defeated home favorite and world No. 83 Hugo Gaston to reach the last 16. That run helped him secure a spot in the top 200 for the first time and he is now guaranteed a place at next January’s Australian Open qualifying draw.

 

 

In Metz, Shelbayh walked on court wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh, also known as the hatta, in solidarity with the people in Gaza. As a Jordanian with Palestinian origins, Shelbayh felt the urge to show his support in a meaningful way and says the words of Tunisian Ons Jabeur, who broke down in tears in an on-court interview last month speaking of the lives lost in Gaza, had truly touched him.

“I thought it was a good idea to do that, given my background and everything,” said Shelbayh of wearing the hatta on court.

“It’s difficult moments right now with what’s happening in the world, many children dying, women, elderly, it’s very tough. I thought it was a good way for me to show them my support. Of course, all of us in the Arab world are going through the most difficult times, and (have been for) many years. So, I just wanted to show the best support possible and just hope for peace, to have peace in the world. I just want peace, like all of us want.”

Topics: tennis Abdullah Shelbayh

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Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

Updated 15 January 2025
Arab News
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Lebanese sensation Hady Habib’s historic journey comes to an end at Australian Open

  • The 26-year-old Houston-born player lost to Frenchman Ugo Humbert in three straight sets (3-6, 4-6, 4-6)
  • A large crowd from the Lebanese community in Australia were present to cheer on Habib
Updated 15 January 2025
Arab News

BEIRUT: The journey of Lebanon’s tennis sensation Hady Habib, who on Sunday became the first Lebanese to ever win a Grand Slam match, ended at the Australian Open after he lost to France’s Ugo Humbert on Wednesday.
In front of a large Lebanese audience in Melbourne that enthusiastically supported Habib, the 26-year-old Houston-born player ended what has been portrayed as a historic journey in the Australian Open tournament after losing three straight sets (3-6, 4-6, 4-6) in the second round.
On Sunday, Habib, who is 216th in the ATP singles ranking, made history after defeating in the first round 22-year-old Chinese player Bu Yunchaokete, ranked 65th in the world, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the second round, becoming the first Lebanese to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.


A large crowd from the Lebanese community in Australia were present to cheer on Habib as he challenged an elite player, Humbert, ranked 14th in the world. The clear and obvious difference in experience eventually leaned in favor of the Frenchman.
Habib became the first Lebanese to qualify for one of the four major tennis tournaments, after achieving three consecutive victories in the preliminary rounds by defeating American Patrick Kipson (6-4, 7-6), Taiwan’s Chun-Hsin Tseng (6-4, 7-6) and Frenchman Clement Chedekh (6-4, 3-6, 7-6).
Habib represented Lebanon in the Olympic Games, and lost at Roland Garros to Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the first round. He also lost the doubles match with Benjamin Hassan to the Australian duo Matthew Ebden and John Peers.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” he told Arab News earlier this week after his first-round triumph.
“I’m so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So, yeah, it’s just been amazing,” the 26-year-old said.

Topics: Australian Open Hady Habib Lebanese

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Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

Updated 13 January 2025
AFP
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Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

  • In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath
Updated 13 January 2025
AFP

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic survived a scare in his quest for tennis history before following Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

But Greek former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and home favorite Nick Kyrgios both fell at the first hurdle, with the combustible Australian going out swearing and in pain.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff powered through with minimum fuss as they launched their bids to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Another winner was two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On a blockbuster second day in Melbourne, Djokovic lost the first set to 107th-ranked American Nishesh Basavareddy in the prime-time evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

But the Serbian great, hoping to roll back the years and win an 11th Australian Open and record 25th Grand Slam singles title, recovered to ease through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath.

“At the end, it was great but I think he was the better player for a set and a half,” said the 37-year-old.

Italian world No. 1 Sinner was warmly welcomed on Rod Laver Arena before defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Sinner is playing under a cloud after twice testing positive for traces of a steroid in March.

He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by tennis authorities, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed and is seeking to ban him for up to two years.

“I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening,” he said about the reception.

“I was happy about the crowd,” added Sinner, who has not tasted defeat since losing to Alcaraz in the Beijing final in October.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion but never a winner in Melbourne, had a couple of hairy moments before seeing off Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.

“This is a tournament I really want to win one day, hopefully this year,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard.

There was disappointment for home fans as the colorful but temperamental Kyrgios, only recently back from 18 months out with injury, lost 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Kyrgios spoke to physios multiple times in the second set after wincing in pain while serving and fired expletives at his coaching box.

The 11th-seeded Tsitsipas became the first major casualty when Alex Michelsen blasted past him 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

The 26-year-old Greek, who played Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, never looked comfortable against the 42nd-ranked American.

“It just sucks in a way that I’ll be hanging around for quite a while now before my next tournament comes in,” said Tsitsipas.

Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe vomited twice on court before pulling through in five sets against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

The women’s draw provided few upsets on day two.

Red-hot world No. 3 Gauff laid down a marker as she swept aside former Melbourne champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Gauff is unbeaten this year after leading the US to United Cup glory and eased past the 2020 Australian Open winner 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be difficult, but you know, I’m happy with how I played,” said Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

World No. 2 Swiatek defeated Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-4 to get her tournament up and running.

The Pole has won five Grand Slams but her best performance at Melbourne Park is the semifinals in 2022.

“For sure it wasn’t an easy first round, so I’m happy that I’m through,” said Swiatek.

US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, the seventh-seeded American, blew away home player Maya Joint 6-3, 6-0.

Victoria Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, was a notable early loser as the Belarusian went down 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.

Topics: Australian Open Novak Djokovic

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‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

Updated 12 January 2025
Reem Abulleil
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‘It feels like a dream’: Hady Habib becomes first Lebanese in Open Era to win Grand Slam singles main draw match

  • The 26-year-old upsets Bu of China to reach Australian Open second round
Updated 12 January 2025
Reem Abulleil

DUBAI: Hady Habib admitted his historic run at the Australian Open feels like a dream from which he would rather not wake as he stormed into the second round on Sunday in front of a roaring Lebanese crowd.

Making his major debut this fortnight in Melbourne, Habib became the first Lebanese player in Open Era history to qualify for a singles main draw when he came through a tight three-setter, saving match points en route, to defeat France’s Clement Chidekh last Thursday.

Three days later, Habib further etched his name in the history books by upsetting China’s Bu Yunchaokete — who is ranked more than 150 places higher than Habib — 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to reach the Australian Open second round and become the first Lebanese to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event, now he finds himself in the second round. (Reuters)

One of the biggest goals Habib had set for himself entering 2025 was to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam event. He managed to check that target from his bucket list, and even surpass it, less than two weeks into the new tennis season.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” the Texas-born Lebanese told Arab News after his first-round triumph.

“I achieved my first goal, which was to qualify, and now I’m in the second round. It just feels like I need to wake up from a dream. Everything’s been happening so fast. And then I’m in Round 2 of the Aussie Open, and I just can’t believe it right now, I’m lost for words.”

Habib had cousins fly over from Sydney to attend his matches in Melbourne, and the stands on Court 13 on Sunday were packed with his supporters, given the large Lebanese diaspora in Australia.

“I'm so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So yeah, it’s just been amazing,” the 26-year-old said.

The support Habib has received has not come just from the stands. With five Arab players competing in women’s singles, men’s singles and men’s doubles at the Australian Open this fortnight, support is also coming from the locker room.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Egyptian Mayar Sherif are representing the region on the women’s side in singles, while Tunisians Aziz Dougaz and Skander Mansouri are competing in singles and doubles, respectively.

“When I won my last match, since it was a very close one, all the players were watching in the locker room. And I walked by Ons, and she congratulated me, and I was extremely happy just to see a fellow Arab player acknowledging my win, it just means the world,” Habib said.

“Especially what she’s done for Tunisian tennis, and the Arab world in general, it’s amazing to get congratulations from her. And also seeing Aziz do well. I think he’s playing tomorrow (against Yoshihito Nishioka). I really hope he gets the win as well.

“It’s good for Arab tennis and Arab sports in general. And I hope they can do great things this week.”

Habib has produced a series of clutch performances in the past three months, clinching a maiden Challenger title, a Grand Slam debut, a first Grand Slam victory, and a new career-high ranking of at least 163 in the world.

In his final round of Australian Open qualifying against Chidekh, he saved three match points to force a decider in the third set before he secured the win and a place in the main draw.

“I think winning matches only gives you confidence, and I know when it comes to clutch moments that I’ve put in the work,” he said.

“I would like to say that I’m an extremely hard worker, and I try to do the right things every day. So when it comes to clutch moments, I just trust in myself, and the training that I’ve put in and the preparation. That’s what gives me the trust to play like that on these important points.”

Up next for Habib in Melbourne is French world No.14 Ugo Humbert.

“I actually played him once before in a Challenger in 2022. I lost in straight sets. But let’s see,” Habib said of the French lefty.

“I think he is at his best ranking right now. I want to go out there and do what I've been doing the last couple matches, just play my game and just do my best.”

Arabs at the 2025 Australian Open

Monday

First round: Aziz Dougaz v Yoshihito Nishioka

Tuesday

First round: Ons Jabeur v Anhelina Kalinina, Mayar Sherif v Dayana Yastremska

Wednesday

Second round: Hady Habib v Ugo Humbert

TBD

Doubles first round: Skander Mansouri/Ivan Dodig v Blake Ellis/Thomas Fancutt

Topics: tennis Australia Australian Open Hady Habib

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Arab tennis hero Ons Jabeur plans to bounce back in 2025

Updated 12 January 2025
Ali Khaled
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Arab tennis hero Ons Jabeur plans to bounce back in 2025

  • After a year beset by injuries, the Tunisian star tells Arab News she is confident of hitting the heights again
Updated 12 January 2025
Ali Khaled

DUBAI: Last year was not one that Tunisian tennis superstar Ons Jabeur will remember with great fondness.

Having enthralled fans with her unique brand of tennis in the two previous years, reaching two Wimbledon finals and hitting the world No.2 ranking, 2024 was beset by injuries and disruptions.

As Jabeur prepares to launch her Australian Open campaign against Anhelina Kalinina of the Ukraine, she is determined to get back to the form that her army of supporters had come to expect of her.

“I’m feeling much better, happy to be back,” she told Arab News. “I feel like I’m playing good, I’m getting back into the game. I feel very motivated and definitely very positive. I can continue playing even better and the good news is there are a lot of great things to improve.”

Since landing in Australia at the start of the year, Jabeur has taken part in the Brisbane International, where she reached the quarterfinals, as well as the Adelaide International. Improving her form, and not her current WTA world ranking of 39, is the priority.

“I feel like ranking maybe would be a bit irrelevant in this case because if I focus a lot on it, I might kind of not see the level that I was in (before). I was in the top 10 for a good time and I think I need to always remember that I have that level to be one of the great players in the world.

“I always say the most important thing is that I should have the level and the ranking will follow up no matter how much time it will take.

“It is very important for me to get back to my game, and definitely improve a lot of points in my game. That would help me be a better player, especially, playing against these unbelievable players, they’re improving all the time and tennis is improving all the time. And I think it is really important for me to keep up with that game.”

Despite a tough year, Jabeur is now looking forward to mixing it with the next generation of players, for whom she has plenty of praise.

“It’s very impressive. A lot of things are growing very fast, (there are) a lot of unbelievable players,” she said.  “You can see the level is super close between different players and it’s definitely an honor for me to be part of this generation, they are younger than me, but playing at the same time, it’s great to see that.

“It’s definitely motivating to get back on to the court and try to impose my game, because I know my game is a bit different than any other player and the challenge is kind of exciting.”

The Arab tennis hero is confident that she can return to the form she showed in 2022 and 2023.

“Definitely, yes. I think it’s a matter of time, a matter of motivation, and how mentally I feel about it because I always say if you’re mentally ready, and if in your head you’re ready, you can achieve anything. I think your body will follow and everything will follow.

“Now I think I have more experience than in 2022, which is a bonus I could use. But I’m definitely ready to get back into the game, to fight hard and leave everything on the court.”

Aside from her personal targets on court, Jabeur continues to be an inspiration for young Arab tennis talent, Both female and male.

“Of course, it’s one of my goals,” she said. “One of my dreams is to see our players playing on tour. I think we have the talent, I think we have so many motivated players to play on tour and I can say nothing is impossible.

“Just training from Tunisia, I discovered a lot of things and like I said, I’m happy to share my experience and … one day when I’m 100 percent focused, on maybe giving back more. That’s something I really want to do, and I think our region deserves to have more and more champions at international level.”

Saudi Arabia recently awarded citizenship to 15-year-old French tennis player Maysan Hussein, who is of Tunisian origin, and Jabeur believes such moves can help more players get a platform to realise their potential.

“I know Maysan, I met her and met her father, very nice people. Every player deserves the support, deserves to be there, deserves to not think about how much everything will cost. They just need to focus on their training and doing their best. And what Saudi and other countries are doing is really great and I hope they can help her and they can set a good program for her. I wish her well.”

 

Topics: tennis Ons Jabeur

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Sabalenka, Zverev in the spotlight as Australian Open begins

Updated 12 January 2025
AFP
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Sabalenka, Zverev in the spotlight as Australian Open begins

  • Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Opens
  • Germany’s Zverev, at a career-high number two ranking, has eyes on Jannik Sinner and a first Grand Slam title after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Roland Garros last year
Updated 12 January 2025
AFP

MELBOURNE: Aryna Sabalenka will begin her quest for a historic third consecutive Australian Open crown when the first Grand Slam of the year begins on Sunday.
The Belarusian world number one headlines the evening session on the main Rod Laver Arena in a potentially tricky encounter with 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens at 7:00 p.m. (0800 GMT).
Men’s second seed Alexander Zverev rounds off the first night against the dangerous Lucas Pouille of France, who made the semifinals at Melbourne Park in 2019 before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen of China has the honor of playing the first point of the tournament on center court when the fifth seed faces Romania’s 110th-ranked Anca Todoni at 11:30am (0030 GMT).
Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
If she lifts the winner’s Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup again, Sabalenka will join a select group of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis as the only women to complete a Melbourne three-peat.
“I know that I have the possibility of joining legends by winning three times in a row,” Sabalenka said.
“Hopefully by the end of this tournament I’ll be able to put my name into history.”
The Belarusian won the Brisbane International last week and accepts she is the woman to beat after the best season of her career in 2024, where she also won a maiden US Open.
“I like that feeling. That’s what drives me and helps me to stay motivated because I know that I have a target on my back and I really like to have it,” she said.
Germany’s Zverev, at a career-high number two ranking, has eyes on Jannik Sinner and a first Grand Slam title after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Roland Garros last year.
“I think everybody knows what I’m chasing,” he said.
“Going into a Grand Slam as the world number two, you have to have the mindset of, I want to win the tournament.”
The 22-year-old Zheng lost to Sabalenka in the Australian Open final a year ago.
But it heralded a breakthrough 2024 during which she beat Swiatek on her way to winning Paris Olympic gold and claimed three WTA titles.
Zheng believes she is closing the gap on Sabalenka, who also beat the Chinese player at the US Open and in front of her home crowd in the final at Wuhan in October.
“I think each time I play against her, the results are getting closer and closer, which is a positive thing,” said Zheng, who did not play any warm-up events before Melbourne.
“I need to have this mentality to be a better player. I’m right now top five, but still far away from my goal.”
Men’s sixth seed Casper Ruud of Norway begins his challenge against Spain’s world number 61 Jaume Munar in the second match on Rod Laver.

Topics: Australian Open Aryna Sabalenka Alexander Zverev

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