QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune ‘Perfect’ Djokovic steers Serbia to winning start in ATP Cup WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 PAGE 14 Federer to return to action at 2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK events to accommodate local ExxonMobil and all our ex- DOHA COVID-19 measures. clusive sponsors, to the Qatar Karim Alami, Qatar Exx- Tennis Federation, and to all ROGER Federer will return to We are delighted to have onMobil Open Tournament relevant government entities big tennis action at the Khalifa the great Roger Federer Director, said, “As Tourna- for their continuous support International Tennis & Squash back in Doha for this year’s ment Director for the Qatar during these difficult times Complex this year’s Qatar Exx- tournament. It is always a ExxonMobil Open 2021, I am and for making sure the Qatar onMobil Open in the first week pleasure to have a player of very happy to announce that ExxonMobil Open tradition of March. Roger Federer has chosen our keeps going on,” he added. The Qatar Tennis Federa- Federer’s calibre at a event, which will take place The 2021 Qatar Exxon- tion (QTF) confirmed on Tues- prestigious tournament like from March 8 till March 13, Mobil Open promises to be day that the Swiss sensation this. Doha is home of great as his first stop in his return to a star-studded event with and 20-time Grand Slam win- tennis, and it is not competitive action.” two-time Grand Slam winner ner would headline the March surprising that the “It makes us proud to have Stan Wawrinka, a finalist at 8 to 13 event in Doha. tournament has continued Roger back in Doha, a tour- the 2008 event, and Dominic The Swiss maestro, who nament he honored with his Thiem, the 2020 Australian will be starting his 2021 sea- to attract big names since it presence and won multiple Open finalist, among the stars son in Qatar after opting out of first started in 1993. times in the past, and where he confirmed for the tournament this year’s Australian Open, is has a huge following; I am sure and other names will be an- a three-time former champion Tariq Zainal, Secretary-General, all his fans will be delighted to nounced sson. in Doha, triumphing in 2005, Qatar Tennis Federation have once again the chance to It is worth noting that 2006 and 2011 - where he beat experience his magic!” Qatar Tennis Federation is Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko year’s tournament. It is always “I would like to welcome preparing for Qatar Total in straight sets. a pleasure to have a player of Roger back to action after Open 2021 in which it will be His last appearance was at Federer’s calibre at a pres- a year away from competi- held days before Qatar Exxon- the 2012 tournament where he tigious tournament like this. tion, and I am certain he will mobil 2021. withdrew ahead of his semi- Doha is home of great tennis, provide many more unforget- The Qatar Tennis Federa- final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and it is not surprising that the table moments to all Qatar tion will release the list of the due to a back injury. tournament has continued to ExxonMobil Open guests and players competing in Qatar Tariq Zainal, QTF Secre- attract big names since it first audience, and to all the tennis total open 2021 in the coming tary-General, said, “We are de- started in 1993. we look forward to welcoming he added. traditional January window world. days, with a promise of splen- lighted to have the great Roger “This year’s event promis- all the players to this annual The ATP 250 tournament this year due to Tennis Austral- “Finally, I would also like did list headed by number one Federer back in Doha for this es to be greater than ever, and feast of tennis come March,” was moved to March from its ia needing to delay its swing of to thank our title sponsors Ashleigh Barty. Winning a sixth CWC title is an extra motivation, says Bayern star Neuer AYERN Munich first (Qatar) or Al Ahly (Egypt)… won the FIFA Club Right now we’re still focus- World Cup™ in De- I’m really looking forward to FIFA Club ing on the Bundesliga, but we’ll Team spirit is our cember 2013 as goals World Cup Qatar 2020 because we got a taste prepare ourselves for that in Bfrom Dante and Thiago, neither good time. We already know of it the first time and won it. Now, we’ve got of whom are still at the club, Al Ahly. They’re the African gave the Reds a 2-0 win over the chance to play two games in Qatar. Champions League winners, so big strength, says Raja Casablanca in the final. We’re determined to win our sixth title. it wouldn’t be an easy game at Now, just over seven all. The same was true in 2013. years later, the record Ger- Manuel Neur, Bayern Munich goalkeeper It’s not very easy to play against Al Duhail’s Olunga man champions are bidding sides you don’t know very well. to claim the crown once again. The matches will be held in TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK With The Best FIFA Men’s stadiums that will be used at DOHA Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, as Qatar 2022. Is there a special well as David Alaba, Jerome kind of excitement in that? AL Duhail’s team’s new strik- Boateng and Thomas Mul- It’s definitely a first experi- er Michael Olunga has de- ler, Bayern still have four key ence as far as the World Cup scribed the Qatar team’s par- players in their side from that is concerned. We can get to ticipation in the FIFA Club triumphant 2013 squad. know the stadiums in advance World Cup 2020 as a chal- Neuer recently spoke about and share that knowledge with lenge which will be met with the tournament in the host our respective national teams. the team’s collective spirit as country of the FIFA World Cup I hope we’ll be able to report their strength. Qatar 2022™. mal. Generally speaking, as a back positively. “Al Duhail is a special Excerpts: goalkeeper you depend on your team and is one of the big- team-mates and the coaching What do you know about gest clubs in Qatar and it is Manuel Neuer, are you al- staff so that we play well and Qatar in general? Bayern wonderful being here. Since ready looking forward to successfully together. There- have held several training I’ve come to Qatar, I have participating in the tour- fore I’m very grateful to my camps there in the past. found a great welcome ei- Al Duhail striker Michael nament in Qatar? team-mates that I was crowned The conditions and the ther from the club’s manage- Olunga. I’m really looking forward the world’s best goalkeeper. pitches are good, and the dis- ment or my teammates play- to it because we got a taste tances are short between the ers and the technical staff nity in Doha , Olunga said, of it the first time and won it. In the semi-finals of the hotel and the training complex. who showed their complete “Let me thank all Kenyans in That was just before Christ- Club World Cup you will That puts the focus on football. support to me and also my Doha who have supported me mas and it was a great way to play either Al Duhail (FIFA.COM) teammates. We are working since my arrival and made me end the year. Now, we’ve got within one team as brothers feel that I am in my country. the chance to play two games We grew closer together as a to win more championships This will give me the motiva- in Qatar. We’re determined to team. It was a fantastic feeling, and titles for this great club,” tion to work strongly in or- win our sixth title. including for the players who Olunga was quoted as saying der to achieve victory in all were part of the side that beat by the club website. the matches we play. I invite What memories do you Borussia Dortmund at Wemb- About the team’s par- them to come to the stadium have of the 2013 edition? ley (in 2013). It was a dream to ticipation at the FIFA Club and support the team.” Very positive ones, because be able to repeat that. World Cup, Olunga said, And about the open- we won. They weren’t easy That Champions League ti- “Definitely it is a good chance ing clash against Egypt’s Al games, they were relatively tle was ‘only’ one of five Bayern for me and my teammates Ahly , he said, “We know the tight. We had to work hard to won last season. And now you and it is a challenge for eve- strength of Al Ahly and it is a win them, especially in the final. could pick up a historic sixth… ryone. We are ready for the good team. They have played It was a big relief afterwards. We That’s obviously an extra matches and facing the chal- in this championship many had a lot of fun after that game. motivation. We’re looking for- lenges that await us. times and everyone in our ward to the Club World Cup. “Everyone here trust in club knows that. We have to You won the UEFA Cham- We’ve got a clear objective in my abilities to contribute work hard to achieve the re- pions League title for a mind and we want to achieve it to the attack line beside my quired result.