In 2011, Djokovic reeled off victories at will, clinching three Grand Slam titles and leapfrogging Nadal and Roger Federer to World No 1 spot. But thereafter Djokovic struggled to come through in the biggest matches —in particular, Slam finals—for a couple of years. And the man, who beat him in a few of those big matches was Nadal.
However, things have changed for Nadal, with the Spaniard’s recurring injuries a major bane as he has slipped to No 5. Djokovic, meanwhile, ran amok in 2015, coming within a French Open title for a calendar-year Grand Slam, and clinching a record six Masters titles, the ATP Word Tour Finals and went 82-6.
It’s in these situations that the two of the best of the current era, will be in spotlight at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which begins today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Last year too, Djokovic and Nadal were the big draws in the ATP World Tour 250 tournament, but they crumbled in the quarter-finals and first round respectively.
This time though, Djokovic’s sublime form and Nadal’s resurgence in late 2015, gives rise to a possibility of a mouth-watering clash between the two in the title clash this Saturday.
The $1.2 million prize money tournament kicks off today with Nadal in action only in the doubles along with compatriot Fernando Verdasco, as they take on the pair of Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili and Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round.
As the chilly weather sets in at the centre court, Djokovic will square up with qualifier Dustin Brown of Germany.
Holder David Ferrer arrives to defend his title.
Djokovic has never faced Brown before, but will be wary of his opponent. For, Brown has the knack of taking out the big guns. Nadal will know that better, with the Spaniard at the receiving end on two occasions, the last time at 2015 Wimbledon when he lost in four sets.
Brown, though, is known for his inconsistency as his 82nd ranking suggests and will also be fatigued as the 31-year-old has played two qualifying matches in as many days to make it to the main draw.
Djokovic, who was taken out by the big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic in three sets last year, wants to turn it around this time in Doha. “Of course I do feel very motivated to do well in Doha because it’s a new tournament for me. It’s only the second time that I’m playing it in my life, and, I mean I went out early in quarter-finals last year to Karlovic. That actually motivates me even more to try and go as far as I can and compete for the trophy. Of course I want to do that,” the World No 1 said yesterday.
Djokovic added he was excited to be playing his warm-up tournament in Doha, as he prepares to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne later this month. “The conditions for the players here in Doha are terrific. I do look forward to competing, because I haven’t done that for a month and a half. The last match that I played was in London, World Tour Finals, and I haven’t played any lead-up exhibition events to Doha, haven’t played any IPTL.
“The reason for that is because I felt like it was too many matches already in the entire season and that I needed some time to regroup, recuperate, spend time with the family, and do something else, as well, and just recharge for, you know, another long season. That, of course, includes the Olympic Games that is going to be very demanding, but I look forward to that,” the 28-year-old said.
Also in action today will be Spain’s fifth seed Feliciano Lopez, who will take on countryman Daniel Munoz de la Nava.
Mubarak Shannan Zayid, the 1761st ranked Qatari has received a wild card and will be playing at the centre court tonight. The 20-year-old has a tough match against seventh seed Jeremy Chardy of France in the opening round.
Second seed Nadal, Tomas Berdych and defending champion David Ferrer, the third and fourth seeds, are slated to open their singles campaign tomorrow.
