Novak Djokovic has much to look forward to in 2017. The World No. 2 relinquished his No. 1 position in the Emirates ATP Rankings after a strong 2016 finish by Andy Murray and will be keen to exact revenge on his longtime rival to open the New Year. The top two seeds at this week's Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Djokovic and Murray last met for the ATP Finals championship - and year-end No. 1 honour - in November. They could face off once again on Saturday in the Doha final. "Of course I would like to congratulate Andy for reaching No. 1 and crowning his season again, because he has played some tremendous tennis, especially in the last three, four months,"...
Top 10 Stars in Action: The opening week of the 2017 ATP World Tour season features three tournaments with nine of the Top 10 players in the Emirates ATP Rankings leading the way. This is the third year in a row at least four of the Top 5 and seven of the Top 10 are playing in the opening week of the season: Brisbane: (3) Raonic, (4) Wawrinka, (5) Nishikori, (8) Thiem, (9) Nadal; Doha: (1) Murray, (2) Djokovic, (10) Berdych; Chennai: (6) Cilic. #NextGen Watch: There are four #NextGen players in action (not including qualifiers): Chennai: Borna Coric, Daniil Medvedev; Brisbane: (WC) Elias Ymer; Doha: Karen Khachanov. January Title Leaders: In the past seven years, a Top 10 player has...
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic officially launched the 2017 ATP World Tour season on Sunday ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. Photo: QTF Paul Zimmer.
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic officially launched the 2017 ATP World Tour season on Sunday ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. Murray and Djokovic played a game of mini-tennis and posed for photos on a specially-constructed elevated court in front of the Museum of Islamic Art, with the backdrop of the Doha skyline. “It was amazing with an amazing view,” said Murray. “We are very lucky to go to some of the nicest places in the world and it’s a good way to start the year. Novak and I have played many big matches over the years, competing for the sport’s biggest prizes and hopefully it will be the same this year.” “It is great to start off...
There will be fireworks on and off the court this week in Doha, as the calendar flips to the New Year at the star-studded Qatar ExxonMobil Open. With the 2017 ATP World Tour season set to commence, familiar foes Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are poised to pick up where they left off to conclude 2016. Djokovic, who was dethroned as year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings by Murray at the ATP Finals, will be seeking revenge in the Qatari capital. The longtime rivals could face off in the final, which would be their first encounter at an ATP World Tour 250 event. With only 630 points separating them atop the Emirates ATP Rankings, the battle for No....