ATP Qatar Open
The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, also known as the ATP Qatar Open, is a professional men's tennis tournament held annually in Doha, Qatar, featuring outdoor hard-court matches at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.[1] Established in 1993 as an ATP Tour event, it serves as one of the season's early hard-court competitions, typically scheduled in February to kick off the Middle Eastern swing of the tour.[1] In 2025, the tournament was elevated to ATP 500 status for the first time, expanding its singles draw to 32 players and doubles to 16, with a total prize money purse of $2,760,000.[2] The event has a rich history of attracting top-tier talent, with record singles champion Roger Federer securing three titles (2005, 2006, 2011), while Rafael Nadal claimed the singles crown in 2014 and four doubles titles between 2005 and 2015.[1] Novak Djokovic won back-to-back singles titles in 2016 and 2017, and Andy Murray holds the distinction of being the youngest champion at age 20 in 2008.[1] More recent winners include Andrey Rublev in 2025 (his second title) and Karen Khachanov in 2024, underscoring the tournament's role in showcasing competitive play among the world's elite players.[1][3][4] As Qatar's premier men's tennis event, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open highlights the country's growing prominence in international sports, supported by major sponsors such as ExxonMobil and hosted under the patronage of the Qatar Tennis Federation.[5] Its hard-court surface and timing make it a key preparatory tournament for major events like the Australian Open and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, often drawing high-ranked competitors including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Djokovic in recent lineups.[1] The 2025 edition, held from February 17 to 22, further cements its status as a vital ATP Tour fixture.[2]Background
History
The ATP Qatar Open was founded in 1993 by the Qatar Tennis Federation as the inaugural major international men's tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, marking the entry of professional ATP events into the Gulf region.[6][2] Held from January 4 to 11 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, the first edition featured outdoor hard courts and drew top players, with Boris Becker claiming the singles title after defeating Goran Ivanišević in a three-set final.[7][8] Classified as part of the ATP World Series (equivalent to the modern ATP 250 category), it established itself as a key early-season event ahead of the Australian Open.[2] Throughout its history, the tournament has maintained its annual presence in Doha without interruption, evolving in prestige while remaining a cornerstone of Middle Eastern tennis. Sponsorship has shifted over time, beginning as the Qatar Mobil Open in its debut year and later adopting the Qatar ExxonMobil Open name following a long-term partnership with ExxonMobil Qatar that began more than two decades ago, enhancing its global visibility through corporate backing.[9][1] The event's consistent high standards in organization and player experience led to its upgrade to ATP 500 status in 2025, the 33rd edition, which increased prize money to $2,760,000 and attracted a stronger field of competitors.[2][10] Following its inaugural ATP 500 edition in 2025, the tournament was awarded the Best ATP 500 Tournament in the 2025 ATP Players' Choice Awards.[11] By hosting elite athletes and delivering exceptional facilities, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open has significantly boosted tennis development in Qatar and the broader region, inspiring local participation and positioning Doha as a hub for international sports events.[10][5] This growth underscores its role in elevating the sport's profile in a historically underrepresented area, contributing to Qatar's broader sports infrastructure ambitions.[5]Venue and organization
The ATP Qatar Open is held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, a facility owned and operated by the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF). This venue has hosted the tournament annually since its inception in 1993, featuring a center court with a seating capacity of 7,000 spectators, along with corporate boxes, a VIP tent, and public areas equipped with food courts and entertainment options.[12][13] The tournament is organized by the QTF in partnership with the ATP Tour, ensuring compliance with professional standards while promoting tennis development in Qatar.[6][2] The complex includes multiple outdoor hard courts surfaced with Plexipave, a cushioned acrylic material designed for consistent ball bounce and player comfort, as well as dedicated practice courts and supporting amenities like player lounges to facilitate high-level competition.[14][15] Sponsorship has played a key role in the event's growth, beginning with Mobil as the title sponsor from 1993 to 2000 under the name Qatar Mobil Open, transitioning to ExxonMobil in 2001, which has continued through the present as the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, enhancing branding and elevating the tournament's profile within the ATP calendar.[16][17]Tournament format
Categories and draw
The ATP Qatar Open has traditionally been classified as an ATP 250 event from its inception in 1993 through 2024, featuring both singles and doubles competitions, before being upgraded to ATP 500 status in 2025, which enhances its ranking points allocation and overall prestige within the ATP Tour calendar.[18] This upgrade reflects the tournament's growing stature and commitment to attracting top-tier players.[10] The singles competition consists of a 32-player main draw, with four spots allocated to winners from a 16-player qualifying draw held prior to the main event.[2] The doubles event features a 16-team main draw, with no qualifying rounds.[2] Neither mixed doubles nor junior categories are included, aligning with the standard format for ATP Tour events at this level. Entry into the singles main draw is primarily determined by the ATP rankings, filling 24 direct acceptance spots, while the remaining eight positions are reserved for four wild cards—often awarded to local or emerging players—and four qualifiers.[1] Alternates are utilized in case of withdrawals to maintain the draw integrity. For doubles, teams qualify based on their combined ATP doubles rankings or protected rankings for players returning from injury, with wild cards available at the tournament's discretion.[2] Prize money is distributed on a tiered basis across rounds, with the total purse increasing significantly post-upgrade. In 2024 as an ATP 250, the singles winner received $212,300, while the 2025 ATP 500 edition offers $516,165 to the singles champion and $169,540 (per team) to the doubles winners.[19][1] Payouts decrease progressively: for 2025 singles, semifinalists earn $148,005, quarterfinalists $75,615, second-round losers $40,365, and first-round losers $21,525; doubles follows a similar structure, with first-round teams receiving $11,840.[1]Surface and scheduling
The ATP Qatar Open is contested on outdoor hard courts at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar. Since 2009, the tournament has utilized Plexicushion, an acrylic-based surface developed by Plexipave, which provides a resilient layer blending latex, rubber, and plastic particles to absorb impact and reduce fatigue.[20] This surface is classified as medium-paced according to the International Tennis Federation's Court Pace Rating system (category 3, approximately CPI 35-39), offering consistent bounce that suits baseline rallies while allowing for moderate serve dominance.[21] Prior to 2009, the event was also played on acrylic hard courts, though specific branding details from that era are less documented.[2] The tournament's timing exposes players to Doha's mild winter climate, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F) and low humidity levels around 50-60%, creating comfortable conditions for extended play.[22] Rainfall is infrequent but can lead to occasional delays, as experienced in the 2020 edition when rain interrupted quarterfinal matches.[23] The complex features 24 courts, including a main stadium without a retractable roof, though backup scheduling helps mitigate disruptions. Historically scheduled as a season opener in early January since its inception in 1993, the event spans 5-7 days with a single-elimination draw.[1] All matches follow the ATP Tour standard of best-of-three sets, with sessions divided into day and night play under floodlights to accommodate the subtropical climate and maximize viewer engagement. From 2025, the tournament is scheduled in mid-February (February 17-22 for the 2025 edition), aligning with post-Australian Open preparations.[2] The tournament enjoys global broadcast coverage produced by ATP Media, distributed through platforms like Tennis TV for live streaming of all matches, reaching audiences in over 200 territories.[24] Attendance is robust, with the 7,000-seat center court often filling to capacity during key sessions, particularly finals, contributing to the event's vibrant atmosphere.[12] The 2025 edition, upgraded to ATP 500 status, saw record crowds reflecting its growing prestige.[25]Champions
Singles finals
The singles finals of the ATP Qatar Open have featured competitive matches since the tournament's inception in 1993, with top players often prevailing in straight sets or three-set thrillers on the hard courts of Doha. The event has seen a mix of established stars and rising talents claiming the title, contributing to its reputation as a key early-season ATP event.[2]| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Boris Becker (Germany) | Goran Ivanišević (Croatia) | 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 7–5 |
| 1994 | Stefan Edberg (Sweden) | Paul Haarhuis (Netherlands) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1995 | Stefan Edberg (Sweden) | Magnus Larsson (Sweden) | 7–6(7–4), 6–1 |
| 1996 | Petr Korda (Czech Republic) | Younes El Aynaoui (Morocco) | 7–6(7–5), 2–6, 7–6(7–5) |
| 1997 | Jim Courier (USA) | Tim Henman (GB) | 7–5, 6–7(5–7), 6–2 |
| 1998 | Petr Korda (Czech Republic) | Fabrice Santoro (France) | 6–0, 6–3 |
| 1999 | Rainer Schüttler (Germany) | Tim Henman (GB) | 6–4, 5–7, 6–1 |
| 2000 | Fabrice Santoro (France) | Rainer Schüttler (Germany) | 3–6, 7–5, 3–0 ret. |
| 2001 | Marcelo Ríos (Chile) | Bohdan Ulihrach (Czech Republic) | 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 |
| 2002 | Younes El Aynaoui (Morocco) | Félix Mantilla (Spain) | 4–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 2003 | Stefan Koubek (Austria) | Jan-Michael Gambill (USA) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2004 | Nicolas Escudé (France) | Ivan Ljubičić (Croatia) | 6–3, 7–6(7–4) |
| 2005 | Roger Federer (Switzerland) | Ivan Ljubičić (Croatia) | 6–3, 6–1 |
| 2006 | Roger Federer (Switzerland) | Gaël Monfils (France) | 6–3, 7–6(7–5) |
| 2007 | Ivan Ljubičić (Croatia) | Andy Murray (GB) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2008 | Andy Murray (GB) | Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) | 6–4, 4–6, 6–2 |
| 2009 | Andy Murray (GB) | Andy Roddick (USA) | 6–4, 6–2 |
| 2010 | Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) | Rafael Nadal (Spain) | 0–6, 7–6(10–8), 6–4 |
| 2011 | Roger Federer (Switzerland) | Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2012 | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) | Gaël Monfils (France) | 7–5, 6–3 |
| 2013 | Richard Gasquet (France) | Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) | 3–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–3 |
| 2014 | Rafael Nadal (Spain) | Gaël Monfils (France) | 6–1, 6–7(5–7), 6–2 |
| 2015 | David Ferrer (Spain) | Tomáš Berdych (Czech Republic) | 6–4, 7–5 |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic (Serbia) | Rafael Nadal (Spain) | 6–1, 6–2 |
| 2017 | Novak Djokovic (Serbia) | Andy Murray (GB) | 6–3, 5–7, 6–4 |
| 2018 | Gaël Monfils (France) | Andrey Rublev (Russia) | 6–2, 6–3 |
| 2019 | Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) | Tomáš Berdych (Czech Republic) | 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 2020 | Andrey Rublev (Russia) | Corentin Moutet (France) | 6–2, 7–6(7–3) |
| 2021 | Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) | Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) | 7–6(7–5), 6–2 |
| 2022 | Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) | Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2023 | Daniil Medvedev (Russia) | Andy Murray (GB) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2024 | Karen Khachanov (Russia) | Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic) | 7–6(14–12), 6–4 |
| 2025 | Andrey Rublev (Russia) | Jack Draper (GB) | 7–5, 5–7, 6–1 |
Doubles finals
The doubles competition at the ATP Qatar Open has featured a variety of international teams since its inception in 1993, with finals often showcasing competitive matches on hard courts at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Championship matches typically consist of best-of-three sets, including super tiebreaks in later years for deciding sets. Below is a year-by-year summary of the doubles finals, including winning teams with player nationalities, runners-up, and scores.[2]| Year | Winning Team | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Boris Becker (Germany) / Patrik Kühnen (Germany) | Shelby Cannon (United States) / Scott Melville (United States) | 6–2, 6–4 |
| 1994 | Olivier Delaître (France) / Stéphane Simian (France) | Shelby Cannon (United States) / Byron Talbot (South Africa) | 6–3, 6–3 |
| 1995 | Stefan Edberg (Sweden) / Magnus Larsson (Sweden) | Andrei Olhovskiy (Russia) / Jan Siemerink (Netherlands) | 7–6, 6–2 |
| 1996 | Mark Knowles (Bahamas) / Daniel Nestor (Canada) | Jacco Eltingh (Netherlands) / Paul Haarhuis (Netherlands) | 7–6, 6–3 |
| 1997 | Jacco Eltingh (Netherlands) / Paul Haarhuis (Netherlands) | Patrik Fredriksson (Sweden) / Magnus Norman (Sweden) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1998 | Mahesh Bhupathi (India) / Leander Paes (India) | Olivier Delaître (France) / Fabrice Santoro (France) | 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 1999 | Alex O'Brien (United States) / Jared Palmer (United States) | Piet Norval (South Africa) / Kevin Ullyett (Zimbabwe) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2000 | Mark Knowles (Bahamas) / Max Mirnyi (Belarus) | Alex O'Brien (United States) / Jared Palmer (United States) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2001 | Mark Knowles (Bahamas) / Daniel Nestor (Canada) | Juan Balcells (Spain) / Andrei Olhovskiy (Russia) | 6–3, 6–1 |
| 2002 | Donald Johnson (United States) / Jared Palmer (United States) | Jiří Novák (Czech Republic) / David Rikl (Czech Republic) | 6–3, 7–6(7–5) |
| 2003 | Martin Damm (Czech Republic) / Cyril Suk (Czech Republic) | Mark Knowles (Bahamas) / Daniel Nestor (Canada) | 6–4, 7–6(10–8) |
| 2004 | Martin Damm (Czech Republic) / Cyril Suk (Czech Republic) | Stefan Koubek (Austria) / Andy Roddick (United States) | 6–2, 6–4 |
| 2005 | Albert Costa (Spain) / Rafael Nadal (Spain) | Andrei Pavel (Romania) / Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) | 6–3, 4–6, 6–3 |
| 2006 | Jonas Björkman (Sweden) / Max Mirnyi (Belarus) | Christophe Rochus (Belgium) / Olivier Rochus (Belgium) | 2–6, 6–3, [10–8] |
| 2007 | Nenad Zimonjić (Serbia) / Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) | Martin Damm (Czech Republic) / Leander Paes (India) | 6–1, 7–6(7–3) |
| 2008 | Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) / David Škoch (Czech Republic) | Jeff Coetzee (South Africa) / Wesley Moodie (South Africa) | 6–4, 4–6, [11–9] |
| 2009 | Marc López (Spain) / Rafael Nadal (Spain) | Daniel Nestor (Canada) / Nenad Zimonjić (Serbia) | 4–6, 6–4, [10–8] |
| 2010 | Guillermo García López (Spain) / Albert Montañés (Spain) | František Čermák (Czech Republic) / Michal Mertiňák (Slovakia) | 6–4, 7–5 |
| 2011 | Marc López (Spain) / Rafael Nadal (Spain) | Daniele Bracciali (Italy) / Andreas Seppi (Italy) | 6–3, 7–6(7–4) |
| 2012 | Filip Polášek (Slovakia) / Lukáš Rosol (Czech Republic) | Christopher Kas (Germany) / Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2013 | Christopher Kas (Germany) / Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) | Julian Knowle (Austria) / Filip Polášek (Slovakia) | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2014 | Tomáš Berdych (Czech Republic) / Jan Hájek (Czech Republic) | Alexander Peya (Austria) / Bruno Soares (Brazil) | 6–2, 6–4 |
| 2015 | Juan Mónaco (Argentina) / Rafael Nadal (Spain) | Julian Knowle (Austria) / Philipp Oswald (Austria) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2016 | Feliciano López (Spain) / Marc López (Spain) | Philipp Petzschner (Germany) / Alexander Peya (Austria) | 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2017 | Jérémy Chardy (France) / Fabrice Martin (France) | Vasek Pospisil (Canada) / Radek Štěpánek (Czech Republic) | 6–4, 7–6(7–3) |
| 2018 | Oliver Marach (Austria) / Mate Pavić (Croatia) | Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) / Bruno Soares (Brazil) | 6–2, 7–6(8–6) |
| 2019 | David Goffin (Belgium) / Pierre-Hugues Herbert (France) | Robin Haase (Netherlands) / Matwé Middelkoop (Netherlands) | 5–7, 6–4, [10–4] |
| 2020 | Rohan Bopanna (India) / Wesley Koolhof (Netherlands) | Luke Bambridge (United Kingdom) / Santiago González (Mexico) | 3–6, 6–2, [10–6] |
| 2021 | Aslan Karatsev (Russia) / Andrey Rublev (Russia) | Marcus Daniell (New Zealand) / Philipp Oswald (Austria) | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2022 | Wesley Koolhof (Netherlands) / Neal Skupski (United Kingdom) | Rohan Bopanna (India) / Denis Shapovalov (Canada) | 7–6(7–4), 6–1 |
| 2023 | Rohan Bopanna (India) / Matthew Ebden (Australia) | Constant Lestienne (France) / Botic van de Zandschulp (Netherlands) | 6–7(5–7), 6–4, [10–6] |
| 2024 | Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) / Michael Venus (New Zealand) | Lorenzo Musetti (Italy) / Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) | 7–6(7–0), 2–6, [10–8] |
| 2025 | Julian Cash (United Kingdom) / Lloyd Glasspool (United Kingdom) | Joe Salisbury (United Kingdom) / Neal Skupski (United Kingdom) | 6–3, 6–2 |
Records
Singles records
Roger Federer holds the record for the most singles titles at the ATP Qatar Open, winning three times in 2005, 2006, and 2011.[1] Six other players have secured two titles each: Stefan Edberg (1994, 1995), Petr Korda (1996, 1998), Andy Murray (2008, 2009), Novak Djokovic (2016, 2017), Roberto Bautista Agut (2019, 2022), and Andrey Rublev (2020, 2025).[60][3]| Player | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Federer | 3 | 2005, 2006, 2011 |
| Stefan Edberg | 2 | 1994, 1995 |
| Petr Korda | 2 | 1996, 1998 |
| Andy Murray | 2 | 2008, 2009 |
| Novak Djokovic | 2 | 2016, 2017 |
| Roberto Bautista Agut | 2 | 2019, 2022 |
| Andrey Rublev | 2 | 2020, 2025 |
Doubles records
Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the record for the most doubles titles won at the ATP Qatar Open, with four triumphs between 2005 and 2015. He secured his first with Albert Costa in 2005, followed by victories alongside Marc López in 2009 and 2011, and Juan Mónaco in 2015. Nadal's success demonstrates versatility in partnerships, as he claimed titles with three different players across these wins.[2][63] Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Marc López of Spain share second place with three titles each. Knowles partnered with Daniel Nestor for wins in 1996 and 2001, and with Max Mirnyi in 2000. López won twice with Nadal (2009, 2011) before capturing the 2016 crown with his compatriot Feliciano López.[64][1][65] Several teams have achieved multiple finals appearances, underscoring enduring partnerships at the event. For instance, the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes reached the final in 1998 (winning) and 1999, highlighting their early dominance in the tournament's doubles draw. Spanish players collectively lead in titles by nationality, contributing at least seven wins through combinations involving Nadal, López, and others.| Player | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal (ESP) | 4 | 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| Mark Knowles (BAH) | 3 | 1996, 2000, 2001 |
| Marc López (ESP) | 3 | 2009, 2011, 2016 |