Abdullah Shelbayh, hailing from Jordan, etched his name in ATP Challenger history by clinching his maiden professional tennis title in Charleston, USA. The 19-year-old, a product of the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy, achieved this remarkable feat on Sunday, October 1, in a thrilling final against local favorite Oliver Crawford.

Crawford had been in sublime form throughout the tournament, not dropping a single set on his way to the final. However, Shelbayh displayed incredible resilience as he battled back from a set and a break down to secure a 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory, ultimately claiming the LTP Challenger singles title.

In doing so, Shelbayh accomplished a historic milestone, becoming the first player from Jordan and the youngest athlete from an Arab country to emerge victorious on the Challenger Tour. His triumph not only earned him $10,840 in prize money but also propelled him up the ATP rankings, where he now sits at World No. 240. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

Shelbayh’s journey to this historic victory has been nothing short of remarkable. He is a graduate of the Rafa Nadal International School and earned a scholarship to pursue his tennis dreams while continuing his studies at the University of Florida.

This victory adds to a series of groundbreaking moments in Shelbayh’s career. Last year, at the Rafa Nadal Open, he stunned top seed Dominic Stricker, securing his position as the first Jordanian player to win a match on the ATP Challenger Tour.

At the beginning of the 2023 season, Shelbayh reached the final of the Manama Challenger, becoming the youngest Arab player and the first Jordanian to do so. His journey to the final included defeating notable opponents like Jason Kubler and Salvatore Caruso before ultimately falling to Thanasi Kokkinakis in a thrilling summit clash.

Notably, Shelbayh made history once again by becoming the first player from Jordan to win a main-draw match on the ATP Tour. He achieved this milestone by defeating Sweden’s Elia Ymer 6-1, 7-5 in the first round of the ATP 250 event in Banja Luka.

Reflecting on his decision to join the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Shelbayh expressed the difficulties of leaving his home in Jordan but acknowledged that it was the right choice to pursue his tennis dreams.

“Joining the academy was the best decision since tennis is not a big sport in Jordan. If I had stayed there, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Shelbayh explained during a press conference, highlighting the sacrifices he made at a young age and the maturity it brought to his game.

Abdullah Shelbayh’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring tennis players from the region, and his historic achievements continue to shine a spotlight on the growing talent in Arab tennis. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.