Doha’s Rise in the Tennis World: From FIFA World Cup to ATP 500
Qatar, which captured international sports attention in 2022 by hosting the FIFA World Cup, is once again in the spotlight but this time for tennis. The city announced a star-studded lineup for the ATP 500 Doha Open, scheduled for February 2026.
Top-Ranked Players Confirm Attendance
Five of the world’s top 10 ATP-ranked players have confirmed their participation in this tournament. These include Carlos Alcaraz (1), Jannik Sinner (2), Novak Djokovic (4), Felix Auger-Aliassime (8), and Alexander Bublik (10). Additionally, five more players ranked in the top 20 will also participate: Daniil Medvedev (12), Andrey Rublev (15), Jakub Mensik (17), and Karen Khachanov (18).
The Evolution of the Doha Open
Since its inception in 1993, the Doha Open has grown from an ATP Tour event to a category 500 tournament in 2025, placing it behind only the Masters 1000 and Grand Slams. The prize money for the tournament increased to $2.7 million, and it was voted by players as the best ATP 500 tournament of the previous season, outperforming competitions in Dubai, Washington, and Barcelona.
Strengthening the Legacy
For 2026, organizers aim to build on this legacy by attracting players who typically only participate in Masters 1000 or Grand Slam events. Jannik Sinner, who was invited in 2025 but had to withdraw due to a doping suspension, will make his debut in Doha this year. Carlos Alcaraz, the current world number one, will return to Doha after being eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2025. Novak Djokovic, aiming for redemption after his first-round loss last year, has previously won the Doha Open in 2016 and 2017 when it was a category 250 event.
Tournament Schedule and Competition
The Doha Open will be the third category 500 tournament of the 2026 season, taking place the week after the Dallas and Rotterdam Opens. However, it coincides with the Rio de Janeiro Open, also a category 500 tournament. The previous year, the Rio Open had a prize purse of $2.3 million, indicating that top-ranked players prefer playing in Qatar during that week.
Women’s Tennis in Doha
In February, Qatar also hosts a WTA 1000 tournament. The event began in 2001, and this year’s champion defender is American Amanda Anisimova. If either Andrey Rublev or Novak Djokovic wins the men’s title in 2026, they will tie Roger Federer as the most successful ATP Doha champion, with three titles each (Federer won in 2005, 2006, and 2011).
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the top-ranked players attending the Doha Open in 2026? Carlos Alcaraz (1), Jannik Sinner (2), Novak Djokovic (4), Felix Auger-Aliassime (8), Alexander Bublik (10), Daniil Medvedev (12), Andrey Rublev (15), Jakub Mensik (17), and Karen Khachanov (18).
- What is the significance of the Doha Open in 2025? The tournament was upgraded to category 500, received the highest ranking as an ATP 500 tournament in 2025, and was awarded $2.7 million in prize money.
- What other tennis events take place in Qatar in February 2026? In addition to the ATP Doha Open, Qatar also hosts a WTA 1000 tournament.
