The 26th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open commences this week and with legendary former champions such as Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (the list goes on and on…), players will be keen to get their hands on the tournament’s coveted golden falcon trophy.

The 2018 event, held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in the Qatari capital of Doha, features Dominic Thiem as the tournament’s top seed after two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew due to an ongoing elbow injury. The World No. 5 will be arriving in Doha for the second time in his career, having qualified back in 2013 before losing in the first round to Peter Gojowczyk. 

Thiem enters the new season following a career-best year. Having excelled on his favoured clay courts through many of 2017’s spring tournaments, the tenacious 23-year-old will be looking to improve his hard court results from the year prior. He opens against Evgeny Donskoy, who in 2017 became one of just five players in 2017 to defeat Federer in a remarkable three-set upset.

Also coming off his best season to date is Pablo Carreno Busta, whose resolute and gritty defensive tennis earned him an alternate spot at the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, where he eventually played two tough matches against the world’s best. Carreno Busta, last year’s US Open semi-finalist and the No.2 seed this week in Doha, plays #NextGenATP semi-finalist Borna Coric in a challenging opening-round encounter. 

Former Top 10 players Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet also join the field this week. Berdych, who reached the final in 2015 before falling to David Ferrer, kicks off his tournament against Jan-Lennard Struff, while 2013 champion Gasquet plays Victor Estrella Burgos for a place in the second round.

The doubles competition features two-time Grand Slam champions and No.1 seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, as well as Wimbledon finalists Mate Pavic and Oliver Marach.

The Tata Maharashtra Open is set to get underway this week with Marin Cilic heading a field of 28 players vying to start their 2018 ATP World Tour seasons off with a bang.

Leading the charge for the first time in the West Indian metropolis of Pune, is World No. 6 and 2014 US Open champion Cilic. With nothing to defend in the opening week of 2018, Cilic will look to add on precious ranking points to nudge himself closer to the career-high of No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings that he achieved late last season courtesy of his run to the Wimbledon final. The 29-year-old Croat is a two-time champion at Tata Maharashtra Open in both 2009 and 2010, when the tournament was held in Chennai. 

Cilic will open against either Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena or Indian wild card Ramkumar Ramanathan, who will be starting his season in his home country for the fifth straight year.

View Pune Draw

Seeded second in Pune is 2017 US Open finalist Kevin Anderson. Despite missing the first months of his 2017, the South African returned with vengeance, skyrocketing back into the Top 15 by reaching the second week at all three Grand Slams he played in addition to an appearance in the final of Citi Open.  Anderson will play either Ruben Bemelmans or a qualifier in his first match.

Defending champion and World No. 22 Roberto Bautista Agut returns to India having claimed the crown in Chennai one year ago over Daniil Medvedev. Having landed in the same half of the draw as Cilic, Bautista Agut will have to fight past Tennys Sandgren or Gilles Simon to have a chance at a potential semi-final showdown with the Croatian No.1 seed.

Benoit Paire and Robin Haase also join the competition in Pune, with a possible quarter-final meeting between the two should they navigate past their opening obstacles. Paire kicks off 2018 against either Nicolas Kicker or Marton Fucsovics, while Haase plays Blaz Kavcic.

Additionally, returning from a lengthy injury layoff is Pablo Andujar. Andujar, who reached a career-high of No. 32 in the Emirates ATP Rankings back in 2015, hasn’t played a tour-level match since late 2016 and will look to start 2018 with momentum when he faces Nicolas Jarry in the first round. Jarry made his Top 100 debut in November and will be keen to build upon his three ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2017 as he transitions on to the ATP World Tour in 2018.

Craving some tennis? You’re not alone. The wait is nearly over as we tear the wrapping off a fresh season on the ATP Challenger Tour.

While the stars of the ATP World Tour prepare to launch their campaigns in Brisbane, Doha and Pune, a trio of tournaments also mark the beginning of the Challenger season. The action is set to take off in Bangkok, Noumea and Playford, as players look to make an immediate impact in 2018 and #NextGenATP stars begin their quests in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan.

For the 15th consecutive year, the French territory of New Caledonia kicks off the season. The island paradise, located off the eastern coast of Australia, welcomes players to the Ligue de Tennis de Nouvelle Caledonie in the capital city of Noumea. The tournament once again features a stacked draw. Top 150 players Julien Benneteau, Taylor Fritz and Cameron Norrie join teens Stefan Kozlov and Corentin Moutet, who are slated to meet in the first round at the Internationaux BNP Paribas.

Player to watch in Noumea: Norrie, seeded third, was one of the breakout stars on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017, rising to year-end No. 114 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. The three-time titlist capped his campaign with a 31-8 run, including late-season victories at the Northern California stops of Tiburon and Stockton. He opens against Italy’s Stefano Napolitano.

View Draws: Noumea | Playford | Bangkok

Meanwhile, the inaugural event in Playford, Australia, features an equally strong draw. Next Gen ATP Finals semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev is the top seed and is in search of his second ATP Challenger Tour title. A quartet of #NextGenATP Aussies carry the home hopes, with wild cards Marc Polmans, Omar Jasika, Max Purcell and Alexei Popyrin in the field.

Player to watch in Playford: The City of Playford Tennis International also features the long-awaited return of Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. The 22-year-old saw his 2017 season come to a painful conclusion in April when he tore the ACL in his left leg at the Miami Open presented by Itaú. Nishioka, who rose to a career-high No. 58 before the injury, is set to make his comeback debut in Playford as he eyes a return to the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Finally, the Thai capital of Bangkok welcomes Challenger competitors for the 10th straight year. Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov lifted the trophy in 2010, while reigning Next Gen ATP Finals winner prevailed in 2014. This year, Germany’s Yannick Maden leads the pack with teenagers Miomir Kecmanovic and Duckhee Lee also in action.

Player to watch in Bangkok: Kecmanovic is soaring into 2018 after claiming his maiden Challenger crown in Suzhou, China, in October. The 18-year-old Serbian became the youngest from his country to win on the circuit since Novak Djokovic in 2005. Up to a career-high No. 207 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, the former junior No. 1 will look to carry the momentum into the new season. He will face fourth seed and countryman Nikola Milojevic in the first round at the KPN Academy-Usierra Bangkok Open. 

Novak Djokovic has been forced to postpone the start of his 2018 season due to a right elbow injury, withdrawing from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which begins on 1 January in Doha. The two-time defending champion announced on his website that he will instead continue rehab to ensure a strong return to the ATP World Tour.

“Unfortunately, the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since yesterday. I still feel the pain,” Djokovic said. “I am sorry that I will not be able to play in front of my fans here. I have great memories of this tournament and the matches I played, like the final against Andy [Murray] from last year. The atmosphere at the stadium is always wonderful, the organisation is on the highest level, and I will surely miss it a lot.”

The former World No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings was hoping to defend back-to-back titles in Doha after missing six months due to injury, last appearing at Wimbledon.

“Only when I’m 100 per cent ready to play, will I be able to come back,” Djokovic said. “I hope it will be soon. I want to thank everyone for patience and understanding.”

Unfortunately the situation with the elbow has not changed for better since yesterday. I still feel the pain. Therefore, I will have to withdraw from ATP tournament in Doha https://t.co/iD0bOR5xkT

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) December 30, 2017

I will never forget 2017.

There were so many unforgettable moments and I learned a lot about myself this year. Many times I didn’t really believe it, but being patient is so important. Trusting in my abilities and keeping the same focus through the good days and the bad days.

Since I turned pro in 2014, I put a lot of pressure to win matches and lift my first trophy. I’m only 22, but it has already been a long road. After breaking my wrist two years ago, I needed to not only build my strength but also find my confidence. This was the hardest part, but I know that I am better because of it. If you told me that I would win my first three Challenger titles and finally reach the Top 100, I would have said you were crazy. I also qualified for my first Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. All in the same season. I still don’t believe it.

But what I am most proud of came in November. It was a long year. I played in 27 tournaments. I was very tired when I returned home to Santiago. The off-season and a nice vacation were just two weeks away. But it gives me so much energy to play in my hometown with everyone supporting me. And that made it even more incredible to win the title. I didn’t lose a set all week. It was amazing with my friends and family there.

This would not have been possible without them. They have given me so much. To see their faces after I won the title, how proud and excited they were, it was very special. I won my first Challenger titles in Medellin, Colombia and Quito, Ecuador during the summer, but this one has a special place in my heart.

He’s done it! @NicoJarry claims his first title on home soil, defeating Arevalo 61 75 for the Santiago ?. Third #ATPChallenger crown of 2017. pic.twitter.com/TfIfz8ZhNe

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 18, 2017

Since the beginning of the tournament, I knew in the back of my mind what I was playing for. If I did well, I would enter the Top 100 for the first time and had the chance of playing in the main draw in the Australian Open. But I was thinking match by match. When I won the semi-final, I wasn’t aware of how close I was to the Top 100 until I went to sleep. All the thoughts came to my head. I was thinking that one of my best friends would be able to go with me to Australia, if I won. Tennis can be very lonely and I have never travel with friends, so I really wanted this. Fortunately, I fell asleep quickly. It wasn’t like my first Challenger final in Quito 2014, when I remember seeing the clock until 4 am. 

My aunt Catalina Fillol is the tournament director and the happiness I felt was indescribable. I was very emotional between the last point and the trophy ceremony. While she was making her speech, she started crying. This made it even tougher to keep myself from doing the same. 

Tennis is a huge part of our family. My grandfather Jaime Fillol, Sr. is a former Top 20 player. He was extremely proud but we didn’t talk much because the final finished late. He is the reason I started playing tennis. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He is a legend in Chile. He was the tournament director at the old ATP World Tour event in Vina del Mar. He ran many tournaments in the same club over the years and I was a part of that. Some of my earliest memories are from those tournaments. His face said everything after I won and it was very special to have him give me the trophy.

During the whole week the stadium was packed. I was amazed by how many people came to watch. It’s so nice to see that tennis is becoming popular again. Among the crowd were some familiar faces as well, such as Nicolas Massu, Fernando Gonzalez and Adrian Garcia. These three were the guys that I looked up to. They made the title even more special. I am very close with them too. Adrian used to live in my grandfather’s house, so he knows me since I was two years old. 

Fernando is also close to my family and one time, before the final of the ATP event in Viña del Mar, he was nervous and started playing with me. I was that little kid at the tournament that was always running around. He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. I had my racquet in my hand and smashed his leg. He won the tournament, so maybe it was because of me. I like to think I removed his nerves. And Nico – since he became Davis Cup captain we are close friends. They have been incredibly supportive during my career so far. They support me 100 per cent and I turn to them whenever I need help or advice.

I also have to thank the fans that came to the club during the week. Playing in Chile is the best. We are very nationalistic and we love to play for our flag. When we play sports, the people go crazy. You might have seen videos of how loud and passionate we sing our nation anthem in football matches. For me, it’s very special to play at home and more when your whole family comes to the tournament. I have a few uncles and cousins that live away from Chile and they all came for the week. My mother has one brother and three sisters and I’m the oldest of 16 cousins. They were all running around the club and asking me to play with them.

It’s weird to play in a tournament while you are sleeping in your own bed, eating at home and hanging out with friends in the same week. I was always worried that it might distract me from practice and the things that I have to do on court. But with the help of my team and friends, they gave me space in the right moments and I was able to perform in the best way possible to have an amazing week. 

Now, with the 2018 season already here, I could not be more excited. I hope to play more on the ATP World Tour and will start in Pune next week. I know my journey is just beginning.

Challenger Chronicles I: Amir Weintraub
Challenger Chronicles II: Skupski Brothers
Challenger Chronicles III: Jason Jung
Challenger Chronicles IV: James McGee
Challenger Chronicles V: Denis Shapovalov
Challenger Chronicles VI: Stefanos Tsitsipas

Ready? Play. 

The ATP World Tour kicks off its 2018 season this week at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the starting line for an exciting marathon of twists and turns, ultimately leading to the finish line: the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in London. 

Seeded first is defending champion and winner of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, Grigor Dimitrov, who currently sits at a career-high of World No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings as a result of his impressive triumph at the season-ending event.

“That was definitely one of my biggest highlights,” said Dimitrov of his landmark victory in London last season. “It was such a long year … so to be able to come to an end of the season the way I did was something that I really appreciated and cherished a lot as well. Also I think that showed a lot to my team and of course to myself what we’re capable of doing and just pushing the limits even more now.” 

Having defeated three Top 10 players en route to victory in Brisbane last year to open his most successful season to date, the Bulgarian looks to continue his fine run of form in Australia and kick off 2018 with emphasis.

“It’s pretty amazing. I’ve been playing this tournament for quite some time and it’s been a dream of mine to win it and being able to do that last year was something that definitely propelled my year into a great success,” said the 26 year old. 

“You always count on that start. The start of the year is so important. You should never get too negative or too positive but … I’m pretty pleased to be back here and excited to get that first match going on.”

Former Brisbane winners Andy Murray and Milos Raonic make their long awaited return to the ATP World Tour after shutting down their seasons early last year to nurse recurring injuries. Murray, the champion in 2012 and 2013, opens against either Ryan Harrison or Leonardo Mayer; Raonic, who defeated Roger Federer in the 2016 final, plays Steve Johnson or Aussie wild card Alex de Minaur to kick off his season.

Elsewhere in the draw, 2017 Australian Open quarter-finalist Mischa Zverev faces off against a qualifier in the first round, while Damir Dzumhur, who won his first two ATP World Tour titles in St. Petersburg and Moscow last year, encounters Denis Istomin in his opening match of the new season. Home favourite Nick Kyrgios, seeded third at this year’s tournament, will open against either fellow Aussie Matthew Ebden or American Frances Tiafoe. 

2017’s inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals victor Hyeon Chung starts his Brisbane campaign against fifth-seeded Gilles Muller, while 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov, the ATP Star of Tomorrow presented by Emirates, looks to build on his previous season’s success with a start against Kyle Edmund, against whom he owns a 2-1 FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead.

In doubles, Shapovalov teams up with compatriot Raonic to play the first seeded duo of Henri Kontinen and John Peers in what promises to be an exciting first-round encounter, while Lleyton Hewitt steps out of retirement to partner Jordan Thompson against Dimitrov and Harrison.