Tennis fans are in for a real treat this winter, as a number of high profile names on the men’s and women’s circuits vie for glory in Doha.
Some of the world’s most prolific tennis players can soon be seen on court, with the men up first in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, and the women then battling it out in the Qatar Total Open.
The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, usually at the end of December or beginning of January, is one of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour’s season opening events. It has been held annually at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex since 1993, with a certain Boris Becker victorious in both the singles and doubles events.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have featured in several stunning opening ‘matches’ to the event, having played on a court on a boat in Doha Bay, on a magic carpet in Souq Waqif, and at the amphitheatre at Katara amid more than 4,000 burning Roman candles.
Roger Federer has won the singles event three times, and Rafal Nadal has won the doubles event four times. Both Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have won twice. The current singles champion is Gaël Monfils, while the doubles title holders are Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic.
The Qatar Total Open, taking place in February, is part of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour and has been held on and off in various guises since 2001, with Martina Hingis as the inaugural champion. The competition has alternated as a Premier and Premier 5 tournament with the Dubai Tennis Championships since 2016.
Over the years Doha has seen in action such titans as the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki battle for the trophy. The current singles champion is Petra Kvitovà; the doubles champions are Gabriela Dabrowski and Jelena Ostapenko.
Both tournaments take place at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Lekwair, near Al Dafna, which has seating for nearly 7,000 spectators. The complex also hosts the ITF Open and Futures (tennis) and Qatar Classic (squash).
Visitors can enjoy the large public area with food courts and entertainment zones, as well as a VIP tent. There is plenty of parking available in and around the complex, with designated areas set up in advance for those coming to see their favourite players in action.
Tournament Facts
Names Qatar ExxonMobil Open (ATP World Tour 250); Qatar Total Open (WTA Premier Event)
Surface Outdoor hard courts
When Qatar ExxonMobil Open: 31 December – 5 January 2019
Qatar Total Open: 11 – 16 February 2019
Where Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex B4
Tickets Available direct from the Complex, also online at qatartennis.org and from booths in malls. Prices vary.
Winners in 2018
Qatar ExxonMobil Open: David Ferrer (Spain)
Qatar Total Open: Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic)
Author: Sarah Palmer
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