Doha: The Qatar ExxonMobil Open showcases tennis’ top players for the 24th consecutive year, Doha will be the starting point for 32 players on the ATP World Tour as they begin their 2016 season.
Action in the championship will begin from January 3 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Leading the field is world No. 1 from Serbia, Novak Djokovic. In February, Djokovic became the first man in the Open Era, since 1968, to win five Australian Open titles.
He won eleven titles in 2015 including the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai, Beijing, US Open, Wimbledon, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells and Australian Open.
In a pre-event statement Djocovic said about the Qatar ExxonMobil Open: “Here we come to a new season! I’m so happy to kick it off in Qatar again where the event is so well organised and I was well treated last year. I’m so excited to comeback and perform at my best in this opening season tournament, stay tuned!”
Next on the list is The Matador Rafael Nadal.
The world No.5, opens the season in Doha. Rafa said: “Very happy to be in Doha soon for the Qatar Open. It is always a great way to start the season. Always found great warm at that event from the staff and spectators. Fantastic event. See you soon.”
World No. 6, Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic comes to Doha with the record of having lost in last year’s final. He won two titles in 2015 – Stockholm and Shenzhen.
Tomas who arrived yesterday in Doha said: “I’m going to play again in Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016. I’m looking forward to an exciting year full of high quality tennis and hope see you all there!”
Defending his title in Doha will be World No. 7 David Ferrer.
The Spanish opened the 2015 season by capturing his 22nd ATP World Tour title at Doha. In February, contested his 27th tour-level clay-court final. He followed it up with his second ATP World Tour title match of 2015 at Rio de Janeiro. It was the first time on the ATP World Tour since March 24, 1975 that there were three 30-over singles winners on the same day. In October, he won his fifth ATP World Tour singles title of 2015 and 26th of his career.
In 2015, he collected five titles in 2015 - Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, Acapulco, Rio de Janeiro, and Doha. Ferrer is pleased to be back in Doha to defend his title: “I’m pleased to kick off my new season in Doha again, I have lovely memories there especially after clinching the title in the last season, I will be there to defend my title and I hope I will be able to do so!”
This year’s players boast multiple Grand Slam, ATP Masters 1000, and ATP World Tour titles, and Olympic medals. Tickets for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016 can be purchased online at www.qatartennis.org and at the following : Villaggio, City Center, Lagoona, Landmark and the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
The Peninsula
