Swiss maestro Federer in the spotlight as Qatar ExxonMobil Open begins
08 Mar 2021 - 10:05
Fawad Hussain/ The Peninsula
Roger Federer looked composed and confident as he returned to the professional tennis court for the first time in 13 months.
The Swiss superstar showed glimpses of his famous slice backhand and good spirit as well during his one-hour practice session with Briton Daniel Evans on Court 1 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open which gets under way today.
The annual ATP 250 event in Doha is among the priority events of top-ranked players but this year it is grabbing more attention, as the 20-time Grand Slam champion will be seen in action for the first time after losing the semi-final of Australian Open 2020 against Novak Djokovic, following two surgeries on his right knee last year.
QTF welcomes Federer s participation in Qatar ExxonMobil Open
03 Feb 2021 - 9:20
Qatar Tennis Federation President Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi welcoming Swiss tennis star Roger Federer ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in this January 2, 2011 file photo.
QNA
Doha: The Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) confirmed yesterday that Swiss tennis legend and 20-time Grand Slam titles winner Roger Federer would headline this year’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open to be held from March 8 to 13 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
Federer, who will be starting his 2021 season in Qatar after opting out of this year’s Australian Open, is a three-time former champion in Doha, triumphing in 2005, 2006 and 2011 - where he beat Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets.