DOHA :The Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis Federation, Tareq Zainal, said all preparations have been finalised for the launch of the men’s main draw at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency, Zainal said the federation was committed to delivering the tournament to the highest international standards despite its scheduling immediately after the conclusion of the women’s championship.
He pointed to Qatar’s experience in hosting major global sporting events and said the country’s organisational infrastructure reflected its proven ability to stage competitions of the highest calibre.
Zainal described the tournament’s elevation from ATP 250 to ATP 500 status in 2025 as a defining milestone in its history. In its first year at the higher tier, the Doha event was named Best ATP 500 Tournament of the Year, strengthening its international reputation.
He also announced a revised format for the 2026 edition to accommodate the holy month of Ramadan. The tournament will adopt a two-session system, similar to that used at Grand Slam events, with two matches in a daytime session and two in an evening session aligned with post-iftar timings. Separate tickets will be issued for each session.
On wildcards, Zainal said invitations had been granted to Qatari national team player Mubarak Shannan for the main draw, as well as Lebanon’s Hadi Habib and Tunisia’s Moez Echargui. He said the federation remained committed to supporting Arab players and helping them improve their international rankings.
Swiss great Roger Federer is the tournament’s most successful player, having won three titles in 2005, 2006 and 2011. Other multiple champions include Novak Djokovic, Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, Britain’s Andy Murray, Czech Petr Korda and Sweden’s Stefan Edberg, who have each lifted the trophy twice.
Morocco’s Younes El Aynaoui remains the only Arab champion, winning the title in 2002. Spain’s Rafael Nadal claimed the trophy in 2014, while Germany’s Boris Becker was the inaugural winner in 1993.
Since hosting its first professional event in 1993, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open has attracted many of the sport’s leading names, cementing its status as a key stop on the ATP Tour calendar and a flagship sporting event in the region.
