The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that Hassan has received a universal place in the men’s singles event at the Olympics. This is essentially a wildcard invitation given to countries that are underrepresented at the Games.

Hassan reaches career-high ranking

Hassan, who just hit a career-high ranking of 146 in the world this week, considers himself a late-bloomer since he only started taking tennis seriously at 22.

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German-Born Lebanese player reaches new milestone

Born and raised in Germany to Lebanese parents, Hassan made his Grand Slam qualifying debut this season. Now, the 29-year-old is hitting another major milestone with his Olympic debut.

Since 2018, Hassan has been representing Lebanon in Davis Cup competitions. Earlier this year, he reached out to the Lebanese Tennis Federation to see if they could apply for a Universality Place for him at the Olympics.

Making history as Lebanon’s first Olympic tennis player

Hassan will be the first tennis player to represent Lebanon at the Olympic Games. He finds the term ‘Olympian’ particularly special, even though most tennis players grow up dreaming of Wimbledon or Roland Garros instead of the Olympics.

So far, Hassan is one of only five Lebanese athletes who have qualified for the Paris Olympics. He joins trap shooter Ray Bassil, foil fencer Philippe Wakim, table tennis player Mariana Sahakian, and taekwondo fighter Laetitia Aoun.

 

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