Last year's Qatar ExxonMobil Open being named the ‘Best Tournament’ by the ATP Tour is a ‘proud achievement for Qatar Tennis Federation’ (QTF), a top official said.
Last month the annual 250-point event in Doha was adjudged by the Tour and the players as the ‘Best Tournament’ for the third time.
“We are proud to win the ATP Tour Best Tournament award for the third time,” QTF Secretary General Tareq Zainal (pictured) said yesterday.
“It’s a big achievement in the 250-point category. There is no secret behind this achievement. We work as a team. We work for all of Qatar. We learn from our mistakes,” he added.
“We look at our negatives, not gloat about the positives. We learn quickly. That’s how we do well. We heard from ATP and the players that our tournament is as good as a 1000-point event in terms of organisation,” he said.
“We are looking to be the best again,” Zainal said with a smile.
When asked about the draw of the 2020 edition, Zainal said: “It is equal for all the players. We have Stan Wawrinka and Andrey Rublev, the top two seeds. We could have a new champion this year. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the only former champion in Doha this year. He won in Doha in 2012.”
He added: “We hope Arab tennis players like Malek Jaziri advance at this event. I believe this tournament will be good for players especially with the cold weather in Europe. We hope all spectators get to enjoy this event. Very few tickets are left for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the tournament. Qatar Tennis Federation are ready for this tournament.”
Zainal hinted the event in Qatar could be moved to another week after the 2021 edition.
“It is not easy to change the calendar in one or two years. The calendar is already confirmed for two years. If there is a change, it will be for 2022. There is a chance, maybe, to change. I hope next year this tournament will be different and we continue to have top players,” he said.
