 He started playing tennis at the age of 6, he was poor and he worked as a ball-picker just to have at least one piece of bread to his family, and at the same time he watched others player and learn the techniques of tennis.When he was outside he picked up pebbles and feasted with the movements he learned .At the age of 8 he was able to join a club and after long time at the age of 16 he was already a champion of Algeria and after a champion of africa.