World No. 1 Swiatek to headline Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2023
DOHA: The Qatar TotalEnergies Open is returning with a big bang, with nine out of the world's top ten players confirmed to participate in the 2023 edition, which will be held from February 13 to 18 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.
Of the world's top-ten superstars, only Greece's Maria Sakkari, the world No. 6, will likely not be in action in Doha for the $780,637 total prize-money event.
The world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland leads the star cast of 32 players for the singles and 16 pairs for the doubles events of the 21st edition of the WTA 500 tournament. Swiatek defeated Estonia's Anett Kontaveit in straight sets last year to lift the golden falcon trophy for the first time in her career in Doha.
The 21-year-old Warsaw-born player, who went on to add two Grand Slams (French Open and US Open) to her trophy cabinets after the victory in Doha, besides wins at Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, Rome, and San Diego; in what was her best year so far on the tour, will be joined by superstars including Ons Jabeur, Jessica Peluga, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Daria Kasatkina, Veronika Kudermetova, and Belinda Bencic to give tennis fans in Qatar and the region a treat of a lifetime.
For World No. 2 Ons Jabeur, the highest-ranked African and Arab tennis player in WTA and ATP history, a victory in Doha will not only cement her legendary status in the region but will also ensure the tournament has an Arabian or African winner for the first time in its history – a record many people are looking forward to.
The 28-year-old Tunisian narrowly missed out twice on having a Grand Slam crown on her head last year, having suffered disappointing defeats at Wimbledon and at the US Open.
While all eyes will be on the top-ten stars as the favorites, two-time winner Petra Kvitova will also be waiting in the wings with the expectation of making history of her own as the first player to lift the coveted trophy thrice.
Of the four lucky players who have been two-time champions in Doha, namely Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, and Petra Kvitova, only the 32-year-old Kvitova, and Belarussian Azarenka remain in contention to break the record and make history.
While Kvitova is one of the confirmed players for the main draw, Azarenka, on the other hand, is on the alternate players list at this year's edition.
The Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2023 is the 21st edition of the annual tennis tournament that has grown to become one of the main signature events on the Qatar sporting calendar.
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