Doha Gallery: The Fan Experience

From cheering their favorite players on with signs written in bold, to getting that elusive autograph and watching history unfold, the fans at the Qatar Total Open certainly had a week to remember.

Published Feburary 26, 2013 12:00

Doha's Khalifa International Tennis Complex has been hosting the WTA stars since back in 2001.

And the ultra-modern facility just keeps on improving, ready for world class tennis every year.

This year 13 of the Top 14 players in the world made it to Doha, including Victoria Azarenka.

And the Belarusian - who was No.1 in the world that week - certainly had a lot of fan support.

Azarenka was not only the defending champion in Doha, she practiced there during the off-season.

But she wasn't the only one with fans behind her - Australian No.1 Sam Stosur had some back-up.

So did the French No.1, Marion Bartoli - Bartoli was a semifinalist in Doha the year before.

Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki was also cheered on all week by her loyal Danish fans.

But while the on-court action and drama was at its highest, there was only one survivor a match.

Many survivors autographed tennis balls and hit them into the stands - as Agnieszka Radwanska did.

And Ana Ivanovic did too - Ivanovic, a former World No.1 herself, made the third round in Doha.

Ivanovic is a fan favorite wherever she goes, and some fans got her autograph on the way out.

Some got something else as players were on their way out - but who could resist this dedication?

And one lucky crowd witnessed history, as Serena Williams became the oldest World No.1 ever.

It was Azarenka who won the title in the end, and all things considered, the fans won right with her.

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