Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation Secretary General Tareq Zainal. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha’s Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex will soon become the centre of attraction as Qatar is preparing to host prestigious tennis and padel tournaments which will see world’s best players showcasing their skills at the internationally-renowned venue.
The high-profile action in Doha will kick off with the Qatar TotalEnergies Open – a WTA 500 event – scheduled to be held from February 13 to 18. Nine out of the world’s top ten players including World No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek, recently-crowned Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur – the highest-ranked African and Arab tennis player in history – set to feature in the tournament.
Just after a day’s break, elite players on ATP circuit will begin their quest for glory at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open that will take place from February 20 to 25.
The eagerly-awaited tournament will be followed by the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel set to take place from February 26 to March 5. The event will serve as Premier Padel’s inaugural event of the 2023 season.
“We will host three major back-to-back tournaments which is a big challenge for us but our preparations are on track,” the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Secretary General Tareq Zainal told The Peninsula yesterday.
“We are confident that we will be ready to host these tournaments in a befitting manner and give fans a great experience as leading players will be taking part in these competitions,” he added.
Owing to COVID-19 restrictions in recent years, the QTSBF didn’t manage to organise its signature tennis tournaments like in the past but Zainal assured the forthcoming events will be “exceptional”.
“All the family activities will resume this year. A lot of programmes are being planned to entertain fans. It will not just be about matches on the courts but many other activities will be going on the sidelines to give memorable experience to all the spectators. We hope everybody would enjoy these three tournaments in the coming weeks,” the top QTSBF official said on the sidelines of launching of ExxonMobil Qatar’s promotional activities ahead of Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
While the line-up for Qatar TotalEnergies Open has been announced, Zainal said the Qatar ExxonMobil Open will also feature an array of leading players, who will battle for the Falcon Trophy.
“At least three to four players from top ten will be here in Doha to compete at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open,” he said adding the 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal was also on the list before an injury during the Australian Open ruled him out for six to eight weeks of action.
“We hope Nadal’s quick and complete recovery. We would like to see him in action in Doha next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zainal thanked ExxonMobil Qatar for supporting QTSBF for three decades.
“ExxonMobil Qatar are our long-term partners. The successful tournaments which QTSBF hosted all these years were not possible without their support.
They are with us since Qatar first hosted this tournament back in 1993. We are very proud with this partnership with the ExxonMobil Qatar,” he said.