DOHA, Qatar – Tennis superstars have touched-down in Doha, welcomed by Qatar Airways, to launch the much-anticipated annual women’s Qatar Total Open. The opening match on the Doha leg of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, for which Qatar Airways is the official airline sponsor, will take place on 22 February at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, culminating in a final head-to-head on 27 February.
The premier tournament will feature seven of the world’s top 10 singles female tennis players. The strong line up of top seeded players includes Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbiñe Muguruza, Petra Kvitova and Belinda Bencic. World number 10 and 2015 champion, Lucie Safarova, will also return to defend her Qatar tournament title.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “The Qatar Total Open was the first professional women’s tennis tournament to be staged in the Middle East. It is with great pride that Qatar Airways continues to host these extraordinary tennis stars, bringing together these global ambassadors, who embody our ambitious spirit and our values for excellence.
“The event is a highlight in Qatar’s sporting calendar, and is popular with many fans having earned a reputation for showcasing outstanding tennis as the world’s elite compete for the coveted premier tournament title.”
Championship sponsors, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free, are inviting spectators to take part in a range of family activities on offer at the Public Village inside the stadium. Fans can be photographed posing in front of their favourite holiday destinations, including Qatar Airways’ soon-to-be-launched new destinations Sydney, Atlanta and Birmingham. Visitors to the Qatar Duty Free pavilion will discover a range of luxury fashion brands available from the duty free retailer at Hamad International Airport, and can enter a draw to win an Audi R8.
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About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 176 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways won Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East at the 2015 Skytrax Awards. This is the third time the airline won the accolade of Airline of the Year.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
In 2015 Qatar Airways launched Oryx One, an enhanced interface for its inflight entertainment system, increasing the number of movies and TV shows on board from 950 to up to 2,000. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 as well as select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the five-star airline’s on-board Wifi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 45 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 176 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes seven Airbus 330, eight Boeing 777 freighters and one Boeing 747 freighter.
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Qatar Airways Group Corporate Communications Department Tel: +974 4022 5350
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About Qatar Tennis Federation:
Due to the major development of women’s sports in the country in 2001, the Qatar Tennis Federation took initiatives to organize the first professional ladies tennis tournament to be held in the Middle East. As the years progressed, the Qatar Total Open attracted star players on the WTA Tour including: Martina Navratilova, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams among many others.
In 2008, the Qatar Tennis Federation became the first country in the region to host the WTA Championships, bringing the top eight players on the WTA Tour to the city for three consecutive years for their season-ending event.
The progress and development of tennis in the nation has brought an increase in the number of Qatari players participating recreationally and professionally in events throughout the world. Though the Qatar Tennis Federation has set a benchmark for tennis in the region, its organisers continue to work hard to improve the tournaments and their coverage across the globe.