Doha: Executive Director of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation, Saad Al Mohannadi, praised the commencement of the 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic squash tournament in Doha, highlighting the intense competition witnessed on the opening day.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al Mohannadi noted that the tournament's inaugural day featured 32 competitions for both men and women, uniting world champions who had been welcomed to Qatar for participation. He emphasized that the tournament includes all seeded players, comprising numerous past champions in Qatar, and stressed the strong competition from the onset.

Al Mohannadi mentioned a notable upset on the men's side, with Peru's Diego Elias, champion in 2021 and 2024, exiting the competition. The remaining matches proceeded as anticipated, with champions and seeded players advancing to the second round, scheduled for Sunday. He also expressed satisfaction with the global atmosphere surrounding the event, marked by record public participation and impressive player performances.

Public Relations Manager at the Qatar Padel Federation, Ahmed Butti, commended the tournament as one of the premier global events in terms of organization and professionalism. Speaking to QNA, Butti highlighted the organizing committee's dedication to ensuring all necessary equipment was in place to guarantee the contests' success and deliver an exceptional experience for players, spectators, and guests.

Butti emphasized the tournament's global reputation, underscored by the participation of the world's elite male and female players. He remarked on the first day's strong start and record public presence as indicative of the unmatched current edition, noting ongoing efforts to achieve the highest levels of success.