The Lebanese Automobile and Touristic Club concluded its annual open tennis tournament, organized over two weeks on its courts under the supervision of the Lebanese Tennis Federation, with the participation of 355 male and female players. The closing day was attended by the President of the Olympic Committee Dr. Pierre Jalakh, lawyer Ibrahim Al-Shweiri representing Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. George Kallas, Colonel Rashid Kfouri representing the Director-General of General Security in lieu of Major General Elias Baissari, Olympic Committee treasurer lawyer François Saadé, President of the Fencing Federation Jihad Salameh, President of the organizing club lawyer Eli Asaf, several board members of the club, Vice Presidents of the Tennis Federation Serge Zouein and Hassan Daouq, Secretary-General of the Federation Roger Basseel, Federation Treasurer Désirée Khalifeh, tennis family, representatives of sponsoring companies, journalists, and a large crowd gathered in the stadium.
In the final match for the Men's Singles category, Giovanni Samaha won against Mustafa Al-Natour in two sets to zero (6-4)(6-1), officiated by international referee Joy Khalil. Below are the results of the final matches for all categories:
*Men:*
- Under 10 years: Kevin Shammoun defeated Eli Jamil (5-3) and (4-1).
- Under 12 years: Luka Abu Chacra defeated Rafael Azar (6-0) and (6-2).
- Under 14 years: Elias Abu Rahal defeated Gabriel Gustin (6-1) and (6-2).
- Under 18 years: Faisal Khaled defeated Alexander Gustin (6-2), (6-7), and (7-6).
- Men's Doubles under 18 years: Elias Abu Rahal and Gabriel Gustin defeated Luka Abu Chacra and Anthony Barakat (1-6), (6-1), and (10-2).
- Men's Singles: Giovanni Samaha defeated Mustafa Al-Natour (6-4) and (6-1).
- Men's Doubles: Mustafa Al-Natour and Giovanni Samaha defeated Karl Berberian and Arman Garabedian (6-3) and (6-3).
- Senior 35 years and over: Hatem Warda defeated Mohammed Attaya (5-7 and retired).
- Senior 45 years and over: Peter Bou Aoun defeated Suhail Zakka (6-1) and (6-1).
- Senior 55 years and over: Sin Karam defeated Mousa Fakhoury (6-1) and (6-1).
*Women:*
- Under 10 years (Round Robin): 1st place: Adriana Hanna, 2nd place: Emma Eid.
- Under 12 years: Maria Al-Hachach defeated Mariam Qamar Al-Din (6-3) and (7-5).
- Under 14 years: Lama Naaman defeated Haifa Taha Al-Jundi (2-6), (6-2), and (6-3).
- Under 18 years: Pamela Younes defeated Serena Khoury (6-2) and (6-3).
- Women's Singles: Carmen Maria Azar defeated Rina Al-Jisr (6-2) and (6-0).
- Women's Doubles: Carmen Maria Azar and Marian Berberian defeated Maria Khater and Lama Naaman (6-2) and (6-1).
**Award Ceremony**
At the conclusion, an award ceremony was held, beginning with the national anthem of Lebanon, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the late board member Sheikh Nabil El-Khazen. Louis Baz, head of sports activities at the club, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the tournament, considering the participation of 355 players significant, and hoping that the financial prizes awarded to both genders next year would be equitable.
Nassib Haddad, member of the organizing club's board and coordinator of the sports committee, stated, "I am pleased to welcome you to the closing of the annual open tennis tournament held by the Lebanese Automobile and Touristic Club, with a strong participation of 355 players in 16 age categories. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this success, including the Tennis Federation led by Mr. Oliver Faisal, the ATCL board under lawyer Eli Asaf, the sponsoring companies, club staff, tournament officials, referees, journalists, players, parents, and all who attended the matches over the two weeks. The tournament was the focus of attention for the tennis family and enthusiasts, showcasing many promising talents among both genders for a bright future ahead. I wish success to the Lebanese team facing South Africa in the Davis Cup next September, with hopes for victory for the land of the Cedars. I also wish good luck to the Lebanese delegation at the Paris Olympics starting on July 26th."
Then, lawyer Asaf congratulated the winners, emphasizing that it is the mission of the Lebanese Automobile and Touristic Club to promote and develop both sports and tourism, promising more sports activities in the future and thanking the media for their coverage of the club's events.
The final word was given to Roger Bassil, Secretary-General of the Tennis Federation, who thanked, on behalf of the Federation President Oliver Faisal and its members, the organizing club for its activities, including the annual open tennis tournament with record participation, and affirmed that Lebanese tennis is still in good shape, congratulating the winners.
The winners were then awarded trophies and financial and material prizes. Commemorative plaques were presented to representatives of sponsoring companies, to the general referee Joy Khalil, chair umpire Yasser Jad (Egyptian nationality), and referee Hussein Mohammed.
Men's Singles champion Giovanni Samaha expressed his joy at winning the title, considering his opponent Mustafa Al-Natour has a bright future ahead and thanked the organizing club for the excellent organization.
