I got inspired to start playing tennis at the age of 12 after watching my favorite tennis player of all time, Pete Sampras. After just two years of training, I was able to win my first junior under-16 title at the Lexus Club in Jeddah.

As a junior, I had so many different coaches, but there are two whom I will always credit for my success: Stephen McCail and Fahmi Saleh. McCail provided me with the tools and necessary knowledge to progress as a tennis player, while Saleh (who is a Saudi ex-tennis pro) is the man I have to thank for where I am today in my tennis career. In late 2008, Saleh took me in to get me back into the physical shape I needed to be in. He also helped polish my game by putting me through excruciating exercise routines and regimens that involved a daily 10km hike, accompanied by three hours of daily tennis.

It was my father’s demise that pushed me to get better. As a form of stress release, I took on tennis again after a break due to an ankle injury.  That’s when my highly respected friend, Fahmi Saleh, (just keep Saleh?) took me in for training. He noticed that my game was quickly improving to new levels that I never thought possible; it is due to his strong belief in me that I decided to start playing competitively.

The last competition I won was the 19th Perrier Open here in Jeddah where I was able to defeat my coach and friend Saleh in the final. I was also singles and doubles champion of the 18th Perrier Tennis Open in 2008.

I am not officially ranked within the Saudi Tennis Federation as I just started playing with Al-Ittihad club this year. But, I will say with all confidence that I am one of the best Saudi players out there today.

The Saudi Tennis Federation is doing what it can to improve the sport and to increase the attention given to it. However, without the proper support and by putting the wrong people in charge, the players will be hindered from moving forward which will in turn keep the federation from making positive advancements. This will cause tennis to remain a stagnant sport here in Saudi Arabia.

Also, parents should start getting their children involved in different sports at a very early age, be it tennis or any other activity. In European countries, children as young as four play tennis, undertake many other activities and are encouraged to push the envelope.

As the saying goes, “you win some, you lose some.” Tennis is a mind game. You set your objective and your body is navigated to do what it has been trained to do. The last match I lost was to Ahmed Zulfiqar, a Pakistani player who was able to crush me 6-2 6-2 at the 19th Perrier quarterfinal match. The defeat I suffered from a man at least 10 years older taught me humility, how to accept defeat, respect the game and realize that youth doesn’t always overcome age. Tennis is a game of pride, elegance, grace and respect. Tennis will build character by teaching one: self-respect, self-restraint and self-discipline.

I keep training and pushing myself forward with the Olympics in mind. Saudi Arabia has great players and I would be honored to represent my country in the sport that I love.

Working is about quality, not quantity. I work early and hard and I take short lunch breaks. Playing tennis after work hours is essential for my daily life. My advice to people is that they should take on any form of sport after work in order to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

If people would like to enjoy some good tennis courts, they should try the Jeddah Hilton or the Al-Bilad Hotel in Jeddah. Unfortunately, there aren’t any private tennis clubs, here, in Jeddah.