- 11:05
At just 13 years old, Lebanese prodigy Maria Hachache won the Dubai International U14 Tournament, held at the American Academy in Dubai under the auspices of the Asian Confederation. Seeded No. 2, the Notre-Dame de Jamhour student played a solid tournament from start to finish, adding another title to her already impressive track record.
With a relaxed arm, a steady gaze, and a composed hand, Maria Hachache delivered a commanding performance in Dubai. Without conceding a single set, the Lebanese player confirmed her ability to turn promise into results. It's yet another trophy for a teenager who is racking up wins, collecting titles, and, above all, making progress.
Moving Forward
Entering the competition as the No. 2 seed, Hachache set the tone right from the start: a clear victory over Turkey's Elif Sasli (6-3, 6-0) in the round of 16, followed by a controlled battle against Germany's Maya Rahal (7-6, 7-5) in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals, she knocked out the No. 1 seed, Bulgaria's Isabel James (6-3, 6-4), before sealing the deal in the final against the No. 6 seed, Hong Kong's Wai Chu, to round off a perfect week and lift the cup... without losing a single set.
A Well-Constructed Trajectory
This was no isolated flash in the pan. Since 2024, she has been performing consistently and racking up titles: Lebanese U12 champion (La Collina), winner at Club de l'Électricité (Holiday Beach) and at the ATCL in her category. She has already tasted the podium in national competitions: bronze at the Arab Championships in Tunisia (with Nour Khater) and silver in the team event in West Asia in Jordan (with Noah Bachour and Nour Khater), earning her a ticket to the Asian Championships. Her progress has been steady, her level has risen, and her experience has grown.
A Professional Setting, Clear Benchmarks
Educated at Notre-Dame de Jamhour, Maria has been training intensively for three years, supported by her parents, with daily monitoring by Georgian coach Giorgi Kherkheladze and physical training provided by Marc Hajj. Summer at the Holiday Beach Club, winter at Mont La Salle: volume, rigor, repetition. The environment is professional, as are the goals.
Ambitions and Role Model
A self-proclaimed fan of Aryna Sabalenka, Hachache champions an offensive, uninhibited style of tennis, without unnecessary calculation. Her goal? To represent Lebanon in the senior ranks as soon as possible and establish herself on the big stage. In Dubai, she achieved one milestone: rising to the occasion when the pressure mounted and turning break points into game points.
The Decisive Point
Dubai is not an end in itself: it is a milestone. At 13, the Lebanese player has already learned to win in different ways — quickly, tenaciously, clinically — and that is often what makes careers. The road is long, but she is heading in the right direction. A winning serve, for now.
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