Stage set for Qatar TotalEnergies Open

Doha: The Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) is ready to host top-notch action at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex (KITSC) that will stage back-to-back tennis and padel tournaments in the next three weeks.            

The higher organising committee of the upcoming Qatar TotalEnergies Open, Qatar ExxonMobil Open and Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel led by QTSBF Secretary General Tareq Zainal yesterday said preparations have been finalised for successful hosting of the highly-anticipated tournaments.   

QTSBF Secretary General Tareq Zainal 

Leading players will first assemble in Doha for the Qatar TotalEnergies Open – a WTA 500 event – the main round of which will begin on February 13 with the final scheduled on February 18. 

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, featuring top players on men’s circuit, will be up next from February 20 to 26 and will be followed by the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel from February 26 to March 5.   

“It’s a tight schedule for the first time but we are ready,” Zainal told a press conference at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.  

“It is not too difficult to host events like this as we have been staging top tier tennis tournaments since 1993. We have a seasoned team that will ensure a great experience to all those involved with many activities lined up for the spectators,” he added.        

The Qatar TotalEnergies Open will see an array of top-ranked players including World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek in action. 

“We are confident of staging another successful edition of this popular tournament on women’s circuit,” Qatar TotalEnergies Open Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi told reporters during the press conference.  

Qatar TotalEnergies Open Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi 

“Players have started arriving as the two-day qualifying round will begin on February 11,” he said before hoping for quick recovery of Tunisia’s World No.3 Ons Jabeur, who withdrew from the tournament yesterday as she will undergo a surgery.

Karim Alami, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open Tournament Director said this year’s edition of the ATP tournament will also feature elite players.  

“The tournament has attracted top-ranked players like Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. The list also includes two-time champion Andy Murray and Fernando Verdasco as wildcard entrants,” said Alami, a former Moroccan international player.     

“We are looking forward to another exciting edition of this popular tournament and we are ready to host the event,” he added. 

Qatar ExxonMobil Open Tournament Director Karim Alami

Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in last year’s final, will defend his title. The qualifying round for the tournament will begin on February 18. 

Meanwhile, Zainal, who is also the tournament director for Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel, said this year’s prestigious padel event will be a blockbuster. 

“The first edition of Ooredoo Qatar Major was very successful and this year we are looking forward to raising the bar. We have confirmation of all the leading players for the tournament,” he said.  Zainal added two Qatar teams will also be seen in action during the tournament as wildcard entrants.       

The QTSBF Secretary General added all the activities on sidelines of the three tournaments will resume completely after a halt due to COVID-19.         

“All the family activities will be resumed this year. There will be a lot of competitions to entertain fans. It will not just be about matches on the courts but many 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,” he said. 

He wasn’t sure if three back-to-back events will become a permanent feature for QTSBF. 

“I can’t say whether this would be a permanent fixture as the tennis calendars for the coming season would be decided later,” Zainal said.