(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) is beefing up its preparations for the 2018 Qatar Total Open, which takes place from February 12-18 at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex with the participation of some of the world's top players.
The tournament started in 2001 as the first women's tennis championship in the Middle East, attracting leading players as a Premier 5 event.
Top-seeded players have recently confirmed their participation, with the federation announcing that Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, Romanian Simona Halep, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, Czech Karolna Plskova, Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko, Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, German Angelique Kerber and France's Kristina Mladenovic.
Speaking to QNA, QTSBF secretary-general Tariq Zeinal said the federation aims to organise an excellent edition of the tournament with the participation of the sport's leading players to ensure viewers get maximum dose of strong matches.
Zeinal added that QTSBF and organising committee president Nasser al-Khelaifi has urged everyone to do their best in order to ensure the annual excellence and success of the event in terms of organisation and viewership by tennis enthusiasts as well as the global coverage.
As for preparations at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, tournament director Saad al-Mohannadi said zones for fans, VIP and children are currently being prepared in order to turn the complex into an interactive and entertaining place.
The fan and children zones offer entertainment activities for all family members such as dining and the federation's store. The VIP zone, meanwhile, offers fans the opportunity to interact with players and guests in a luxury and relaxed atmosphere where they can enjoy high quality international cuisine choices while they listen to jazz music.
Al-Mohannadi said tournament guests can get the event's pamphlet from the VIP reception office and purchase federation goods besides meeting tennis stars and taking photos with them.
Al-Mohannadi had previously announced that the tournament will see the participation of Russian player Maria Sharapova, a winner in 2005 and 2008, through wildcard. The same goes for 2012 and 2013 champion Victoria Azarenka who was also invited to the tournament.
Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex was opened in 1992 and initially had a capacity of 4,000-seat before it expanded in 2008 to 7,000. In 2008, there were also other expansions including VIP seats besides upper, lower and middle sections of the stadium and zones for VIP and fans as well as a dining area.
In 2012, two courts were added, which means that the complex now has one main court, four additional courts, and 20 outdoor courts, making the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex the best venue to host one of the most important sporting events in the world.
This year's edition, a Premier 5 event with a $2.3mn prizes, with the participation of the top ten players, making it a top competition.
The first edition of the Qatar Total Open was held in 2001 where the top seed Martina Hingis captured the singles title after beating Sandrine Testud in the final. Hingis didn't lose a single set during the tournament. Testud and Roberta Vinci had won the doubles title then.
Vandeweghe pulls out
American tennis star CoCo Vandeweghe has pulled out of the Qatar Total Open 2018 as she recovers from a viral infection caught while playing at this year's Australian Open.
Vandeweghe is committed to the US Fed Cup team that plays the first round in the US, but has made a decision to limit her travel as much as possible.
Vandeweghe made it to the third round of the Qatar Total Open 2016, with straight set wins over Kirsten Flipkens and Belinda Bencic, achieving her first top-ten victory of 2016.
'We will surely miss CoCo but we wish her speedy recovery as we look forward to seeing her doing what she knows how to do best on the court as soon as possible. This year's event promises to be the best ever as all arrangements have been made to ensure a fun-filled week of tennis, tournament director Saad al-Mohannadi said.
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