In November we learned the news that the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tournament will go from category 250 to 500 along with those in Dallas and Munich. News that Doha welcomed with great joy and emotion, but at the same time aware of the work ahead that they will have to face.
Taking advantage of the fact that it is being held this week, the tournament director, former Moroccan tennis player Karim Alami, told Sport how satisfied they are with the promotion to Open 500.
“We are very happy to be 500 starting next year and we would like to be 1000 too, we are open to everything. The Qatar Federation has always made a lot of investments to improve the level of the tournament both at the organizational level and to receive the best players in the world and all the best players passed through these courts in Doha,” said the ‘head’ of the tournament.
Changes to benefit players
Alami explained how this promotion will transform the tournament: “It is a very important step. We are going to make a lot of changes, especially in the players’ area, such as medical services, their rest area, restaurants.s, the offices… so that the player feels very good, feels comfortable and has all the necessary infrastructure to have a tournament of this level”, he specified to confess that “I think that little by little we are going to achieve this aim”.
From Nadal to Alcaraz
This year Rafa Nadal was registered for the tournament, but due to his physical problems he withdrew at the last minute. Players of the stature of Djokovic and Federer have also passed through this tournament at some point. Being an Open 500 starting in 2025 will be an added attraction for Top players like Carlos Alcaraz: “Every year we talk to all the Top 20 players in the world, but sometimes they cannot come due to a calendar problem, injuries, rest …we always talk to everyone’s agents to come play the Doha tournament, but we can’t control that. Our doors are always open to everyone.”
Karim Alami remembers that “Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer came and were always happy, all three won the tournament on some occasion. Sadly this year Rafa could not come, we are sad about it because we have a great relationship with him and his family and his team.” Regarding the arrival of the youngest to the tournament, the director is clear: “Carlitos is a character, a player who can play incredibly well for many years and let’s hope he comes here. Our door will always be open to him.”
“We are prepared”
At the media level it is an important step. Alami is clear: “We are prepared for everything. Especially the positive things and we will do everything to have these tennis stars. Everyone wants Alcaraz to come and all this wave of players who have the capabilities to be among the top 10. “It is the new generation that will be the example for young people and I think having them here is very good for tennis,” he said.
2024-02-21 23:52:16
#Lets #hope #Carlos #Alcaraz #play #Doha
