We can tell January is going to be awesome because our favourite tennis superstars are going to dazzle as the 2018 Qatar ExxonMobil Open comes to town.
Former world number one Novak Djokovic will no doubt start the tournament as the hot favourite, being as he is the two-time defending champion. The Serbian’s main rivals for the title could well be world number five Dominic Thiem of Austria and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who was the winner here in 2012.
The six-day event, running from New Year’s Day to January 6, will feature 32 singles players and 16 doubles duos, with all eyes on Djokovic, of course, as he’s back in the game after a lengthy injury lay-off.
He successfully defended his title last year by defeating British legend Andy Murray in three sets, but Djokovic will have to get back to match fitness quickly having not played in any tournament since Wimbledon.
Thiem, meanwhile, recently broke into the top five in the rankings for the first time in his career and is looking to start 2018 with a bang. Other top contenders for the title include Tomas Berdych, 2013 champion Richard Gasquet, Fernando Verdasco and Pablo Carreno Busta. Ace!
QR20 (starting). January 1-6. Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Dafna (4440 9666). Tickets available online at qtf.tickets4tennis.com/sellTicket.php.
