Born in Egypt, he began as a pool player, winning tournaments in
Alexandria. His father, an officer in the
Egyptian Army, introduced him to snooker, and Elsayed practiced the sport in an army club that featured snooker tables formerly owned by
King Farouk. He is a naturalized US citizen. He participated in the
2022 World Seniors Championship at the
Crucible Theatre in
Sheffield, England, becoming the first American to compete at the Crucible. He turned professional in the
2023–24 season after earning a two-year tour card by winning the 2022 Pan American Amateur Championship. Former world champion
Cliff Thorburn and top snooker coach Chris Henry advised him on playing professionally. ==Outside snooker==