The cat came back: Doha is the favorite for felines

DOHA, Qatar -- Caroline Wozniacki's return to World No.1 and new status as a Grand Slam champion is attracting all sorts of fans to the Qatar Total Open.

The Australian Open champion from Denmark was cruising to victory over German Carina Witthoeft during her opening match on Wednesday, leading 6-2, 5-0, when a cat roamed into Centre Court, to the amusement of all.

"I couldn't see it because it kind of went in between something, and then I could just hear it meow all the time, and I was like, 'Where is this cat?'" Wozniacki told the press afterwards. "It was definitely interesting."

The chair umpire came down to the court to investigate, but the cat calmly removed itself from court of its own volition. Wozniacki also left court shortly thereafter, closing out that very game and moving into the third round.

The incursion was reminiscent of a similar incident during the match between Roberta Vinci and Cagla Buyakakcay in Doha in 2016:

"That was the first time," said Wozniacki, when asked if the cat coterie had attended any of her previous matches in Doha.

The whereabouts of the cat are currently unknown.