Doha, February 22 (QNA) - HE Nasser bin Ghanem Al Khelaifi, President of the Qatar Tennis Federation and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, affirmed that the current edition of the tournament achieved major success at all organizational, technical, and fan engagement levels, expressing pride in the outstanding atmosphere that accompanied the final match.

Al Khelaifi said in a press statement today that the tournament’s great success was made possible by the continuous support of the country’s wise leadership. He added that everyone extends sincere thanks and appreciation to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for his ongoing and unlimited support for Qatari sports in general and tennis in particular, noting that this support represents the fundamental pillar contributing to the development of sporting events and strengthening Qatar’s position on the global sports map.

The President of the Qatar Tennis Federation pointed out that the remarkable success of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open reflected the prestigious international standing the tournament has attained. He praised the strong fan turnout in the stands, which demonstrated the public’s eagerness to follow world-class tennis competitions in a distinctive celebratory atmosphere.

Al Khelaifi emphasized that the organizing committee was keen to provide all means necessary to deliver an exceptional experience for spectators, including organizing accompanying events, offering commemorative gifts, and creating a welcoming environment for individuals and families. This contributed to enhancing the enjoyment of attendees and establishing the tournament as an exceptional sporting event at the global level.

Regarding the final match, Al Khelaifi praised the high technical level displayed by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and France’s Arthur Fils, highlighting the outstanding performance of world No. 1 Alcaraz, who claimed the title for the first time after strong competition with Fils. He noted that this victory reflects Alcaraz’s talent and status among the world’s top tennis players and represents a model of athletic success and perseverance.

Al Khelaifi concluded his statement by affirming that the tournament is progressing according to a clear vision aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a host of major global sporting events, with continuous efforts to enhance the sporting experience and ensure the highest organizational and technical standards for fans and players alike. He stressed Qatar’s commitment to being a leading global destination for tennis.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Federation Tareq Darwish Zainal praised the tournament’s outstanding success at all levels, particularly in terms of attendance, which he described as the largest in the event’s history.

Zainal said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that there was great satisfaction with the tournament’s remarkable success in terms of technical level, organization, and record attendance exceeding 35,000 spectators, despite being held during the holy month of Ramadan.

He added that the organizing committee successfully introduced a special system that allowed fans to attend matches during both morning and evening sessions at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, which had been upgraded prior to the tournament, further enhancing its success and distinction.

The Federation’s Secretary-General congratulated the Spanish player on winning the title for the first time in his career, noting that he delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament and secured an impressive victory in the final.

He also pointed out that Alcaraz has now joined the list of global tennis stars who have previously won the tournament, including Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Spain’s Rafael Nadal, and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Zainal confirmed that the tournament’s excellence contributed to it receiving the award for Best Tournament in the World in the ATP 500 category last year, adding that this year’s success will support efforts to win the award again, reflecting Qatar’s leadership in organizing major global sporting events at the highest standards. (QNA)