Djokovic & Nadal Launch Doha In Spectacular Style
Djokovic & Nadal Launch Doha In Spectacular Style
Sand court overlooking Doha skyline graced by tournament’s top two seeds
Tennis courts don’t come with many better views than this.
The stage was set in spectacular style for the launch of the 2016 ATP World Tour season on Sunday in Doha as the top two seeds at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, visited the Museum of Islamic Art Park for a quick hit on a sand court overlooking the city’s skyline.
The location was framed by a traditional Arabic tent, falcons and camels.
“We always do promotions at very special places here in Doha,” said Nadal, who is making his eighth appearance at this ATP World Tour 250 hard court tournament. “I’m very happy to start off the new season here.”
Both Nadal and Djokovic will be looking to avoid repeats of the surprise losses they endured in Doha last season. Nadal, who fell to Michael Berrer in the 2015 first round, opens his campaign against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. The Mallorcan is also competing in the doubles alongside Fernando Verdasco, with the pair set to face Teymuraz Gabashvili and Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Monday.
World No. 1 Djokovic suffered his first of just six defeats in 2015 at the hands of Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals on his Doha debut last year. The Serb opens his 2016 campaign on Monday against German qualifier Dustin Brown.
“The conditions for the players here in Doha are terrific,” said Djokovic. “The tennis centre is phenomenal. You can see that there is a history to this event, and the people who are running the tournament obviously share the passion and love for the sport.
“I went out early in the quarter-finals last year to Karlovic. That actually motivates me even more to try to go as far as I can and compete for the trophy. Of course I want to do that.”