👦 Hossam Kareem | Tennis Papers interview, December 2025

“My dream is to become one of the top 10 tennis players in the world.”

Meet Hossam Kareem, Iraqi junior tennis player who lives in Baghdad, Iraq and currently competing in Boys Juniors category.

This profile is based on an exclusive interview conducted by Tennis Papers in December 2025.

📘 Hossam Kareem | Biography, December 2025

🏙️ Baghdad, Iraq 🇮🇶

📚 Once the heart of the House of Wisdom
🕌 Lined with mosques, markets & timeless streets
🌊 Set along the Tigris River, calm and powerful
🍽️ Savor rich Iraqi flavors and warm hospitality
🌅 A place of culture, memory & enduring spirit

🎙️Hossam Kareem | Interview, December 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.

Hello, Thank you very much for this great opportunity. I am happy to participate in this interview with Tennis Papers and I appreciate your interest in supporting junior tennis players.

My name is Hossam Kareem. I am 12 years old, born on December 26, 2014.
I am Iraqi and I live in Baghdad.

What languages do you speak?

I speak Arabic and English.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

I started playing tennis at the age of 3.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

Yes, we are a tennis family. My father and my uncle play tennis, and my younger brother, who is 7 years old, also plays tennis.

Which club do you train with?

I play at Jadiria Tennis Academy and I train at Al-Said Club.

Who are your coaches?

My main coach is my father (Hashim Kareem), and with the national team my coach is Captain Ali.

What is your weekly training routine?

Currently, I train 4 days a week because I am busy with school.

What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?

My greatest quality is my passion and love for tennis. I would like to improve my physical fitness.

What is your tennis category and national ranking?

I compete in the Juniors category, and my national ranking is 4.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

My greatest achievements are winning first place locally in the under-8 category and winning two titles in the under-9 category.

In which countries have you played tournaments?

I have participated in an Arab championship in Egypt and an international tournament in Dubai.

Do you have any sponsors?

At the moment, I do not have any sponsors.

What is your goal for 2026?

My goal for 2026 is to improve my physical fitness and participate in as many tournaments as possible.

What is your tennis dream?

My tennis dream is to become one of the top 10 players in the world.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

My favorite tennis players are Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.

What do you enjoy outside of tennis?

I like playing football and electronic games.

Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?

I would like to dedicate this interview to my friends — Hassan, Ali, Aras, and Ahmed.

Thank you for the interview, Hossam 🙌
Tennis Papers wishes you all the best in your tennis journey 💜🩷