QTF President Nasser bin Ghanem al-Khelaifi with Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar Managing Director and Group Representative, at yesterday’s press conference. Right: Reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will be one of the star attractions of the event.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
The presence of six of the top 10 players at this month’s Qatar Total Open WTA tournament is “fantastic” news for tennis fans, President of the Qatar Tennis Federation Nasser bin Ghanem al-Khelaifi told a press conference yesterday.
“It is fantastic to see six of the world’s top 10 players entered for our tournament which is in its 13th year. Our defending champion Simona Halep from Romania has risen up the rankings from No.10 to No.3 in the world and is now a real title contender at Grand Slam tournaments,” al-Khelaifi said at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex.
“We have the current Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova who enters our event as No.4 in the world while there are others such as former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and one of the all-time greats, Venus Williams who will grace our splendid facility.”
Al-Khelaifi added that every fan will find somebody to cheer at the tournament because numerous countries are represented.
“I am pleased to see the strength of the player field improving every year and also the good response of the public to these top athletes as well. There are numerous countries represented which means the public will always find someone to support.
The higher organisng committee deserves credit for putting together such a wonderful event which will highlight Doha as a sporting location to the world.
Tournament title sponsor Total E&P Qatar explained their history with the tournament and how much it means to them as an organisation.
“Total was the sponsor of the very first edition of the Qatar Total Open, 14 years ago. Step by step, we have seen the tournament grow and become one of the major sporting events in Qatar, attracting the biggest tennis stars in the world while shining a grand spotlight on Doha,” said Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar Managing Director and Group Representative.
“Qatar has no doubt proven its ability to organise such a Grand Slam class tournament. Total is proud of this partnership and this is a great satisfaction for us working with QTF.”
The 2015 Qatar Total Open is being held 23-28 February with all matches played at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
