Mayar Sherif has made history for Egyptian tennis, beating fellow qualifier Chloe Paquet 7-5, 7-5 in the first round of the Australian Open to become the first woman from her country to win a Grand Slam match.
Sherif became the first Egyptian woman to qualify for a Grand Slam tournament when she made the main draw at last year’s French Open. Now, she’s gone a step further.
“Obviously, it means a lot because finally this is a barrier that I had to pass, a mental barrier,” she said, adding she was “very, very happy with my accomplishment and I’m going for more.”
Given her recent success, Sherif’s fame is growing back home. She said she’s often stopped on the streets in Egypt to take photos with fans.
“It’s such a great feeling, especially when kids come and they recognize me,” she said. “I want them to believe in themselves and to see me and look at me and say that we can be like her.”
