DOHA: World number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia is expected to arrive in Doha for the season opener on December 30, details revealed yesterday.
Winner of three Grand Slam titles and the season-ending championships in London this year, Djokovic will launch the new tennis season at Doha’s iconic Khalifa Tennis Complex where he is set to feature in the hugely popular Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
Two days before Djokovic’s arrival, experienced Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic will land in Doha on Sunday.
Former world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain - who has been beginning his season in Doha in the last few years - will land in the Qatari capital on January 3, 2016, the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) said yesterday in a statement.
The week-long Qatar ExxonMobil Open will be held from Jan 4 to 9.
Also yesterday, QTF said an injured Richard Gasquet has withdrawn from the seven-day ATP Tour event.
The world number nine from France is said to be still in recovery mode following a back injury sustained recently.
The winner of Qatar ExxonMobil 2013, Gasquet has appeared in Doha several times over the years.
Two years ago, the Frenchman defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the final. Last year Gasquet was beaten by Berdych in the quarter-finals.
Defending champion David Ferrer of Spain, meanwhile, will be in Doha to attempt his second title-winning run.
Ferrer will be looking to launch his new season on a positive note as he did in 2015 when he beat Berdych in the final.
After his title win in Doha last January, Fererer bagged wins in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Acapulco and Rio de Janeiro also
“Novak will return to Doha as world No.1 for the second consecutive year,” Tournament Director Karim Alami said in an earlier statement.
“Nadal will be looking to win his second Doha title while Ferrer will aim to defend his title he won last year,” Alami added.
Also yesterday, QTF confirmed Jamie Murray of Britain will partner Bruno Soares of Brazil in the doubles event.
The Spanish pair of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez will also team up in the doubles.
Doha will be one of three stations to launch the 2016 tennis season - with Chennai and Brisbane - in the first week of January.
The January 4-9 event will be the 24th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The Doha event carries an overall prize money of $1,189,605. The singles event has a playing field of 32 while 32 players appear in the doubles.
THE PENINSULA
