With only a few weeks to go before several star athletes arrive in Qatar to compete in the 2016 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, tickets are selling briskly, with the finals and semi-finals almost sold out.

The tournament begins with pre-qualifying matches on Jan. 2, but officially runs from Jan. 4 to 9 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

Some 32 players and 16 doubles team will be competing in the event, the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) said.

Despite the recent exit of World No. 9 Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who has withdrawn due to a back injury, several other international athletes are still slated to compete.

That includes World No. 1 Novak Djokovic from Serbia, who won 11 titles including at the US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon during the 2015 tournament season; and World No. 5 Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Players

In a statement, tournament director Karim Alami said:

“We are incredibly honored to have another year with players of the highest caliber coming to the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The week in Doha kicks off the ATP World Tour season and these players are looking to hit the courts fresh from their end of season break.”

Last year, Spanish tennis star David Ferrer took the title after defeating Tomas Berdych by 6-4, 7-5. The 32-year-old was presented with his trophy by former UK football star David Beckham.

Both Ferrer and Berdych, who is from Czech Republic, are returning to Doha to take part in the 2016 tournament.

Other competitors include Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco of Spain, Italian Andreas Seppi and Leonardo Mayer from Argentina.

Tickets are available for purchase online here and at City Center, Landmark, Lagoona and Villaggio malls, as well as onsite at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.

The ticket booths will be open daily from 10am to 9pm. Children under two years of age can access the venue without a ticket.

Do you plan to attend any matches? Thoughts?