American tennis fans were quick to criticise Chris Eubanks on Sunday after he suffered a humiliating first-round exit at the Olympics.
Benjamin Hassan claimed a historic victory at Roland Garros in Paris by becoming the first Lebanese player to win a match at an Olympic tennis event, at the expense of Eubanks.
German-born Hassan, ranked 170th in the world, won 6-4, 6-2 in just 53 minutes to record one of the best wins of his career.
“I’m incredibly happy. The whole team is enjoying it. We’re very proud and I’m proud of myself as well,” the 29-year-old told reporters.
“It was an amazing atmosphere. I was just trying to stay calm because I didn’t want to waste too much energy. When I won I was able to let off some steam.”
American tennis fans were quick to criticise Chris Eubanks after a humiliating first-round exit.
However, Americans were quick to attack Eubanks, with one posting on X that he was simply in Paris “as a mascot for Team USA.”
Another posted: “Wow! What the heck happened? Chris Eubanks on clay is no fireball, but still a shocking surprise.”
‘First Naomi Osaka and now this! Congratulations to Hassan, your country will be proud!’,
“Talk about a fall… Eubanks really fell,” commented another.
Meanwhile, another fan posted: “Eubanks is an isolated case. He had a bad run on grass last year but he’s actually a Challenger level player.”
Benjamin Hassan became the first Lebanese player to win a match at an Olympic tennis event.
Hassan did not start playing professional football until he was 22, as until then he only played for fun.
But now he is living the dream of being an Olympian and has a second-round clash against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez awaiting him.
She has thrown herself into life in the Olympic village, amassing quite a collection of pins.
“I think the most special one is Japan, because I’m a big fan of that country. I like to watch a lot of animated manga,” he said.
Hassan was not the only Lebanese player in the draw, as Hady Habib lost to French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday. Hassan and Habib also lost in the doubles on Sunday.