The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex opened in 1992 at the initiative of then-Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The following year, in 1993, the complex hosted its first ATP tournament, with Boris BECKER emerging as the inaugural men's champion. Women's competitions were introduced in 2001, with Martina HINGIS claiming victory. When the complex was built in the early 1990s, the nfWest Bay district did not yet boast its famous skyline of skyscrapers, but the arrival of the ultra-modern tennis facility accelerated the area's development. New roads, hotels, international corporate offices, and shops elevated West Bay’s status, establishing it as not only a financial center but also a prestigious hub for a healthy lifestyle and premium leisure.

Today, the complex features 24 hard-court tennis courts, surfaced to withstand Qatar’s high temperatures, and serves as a green oasis amidst the skyscrapers of Doha’s West Bay district. Luxurious VIP tents, reminiscent of traditional Bedouin desert tents, sit around the courts, blending Qatari authenticity with high-tech infrastructure. After a 2008 renovation, Centre Court's capacity increased from 4,500 to 7,000 seats. Later, a major engineering project, the Wind Barrier, was installed around the outdoor courts to minimize the impact of strong desert winds. The Qatar Tennis Federation manages the complex. In addition to tennis, it hosts world-class squash and padel competitions.

Qatar's desert climate required measures to overcome specific environmental challenges; consequently, major tournaments are held in the winter-spring period, when temperatures in Doha are most favorable for outdoor competition. The Сentre Сourt is partially sunken below ground level. This engineering solution by the Swiss firm NUSSLI Group provides natural cooling by retaining cool air while shielding players and spectators from the scorching desert sun and wind. During extreme heat, the complex uses advanced air conditioning and open-air cooling systems to keep temperatures comfortable for players and fans on the outdoor courts. Another issue is desert winds carrying fine sand and dust, which pose a serious problem for the court; sand on a hard court makes the surface slippery and dangerous for players. For this reason, the walls and stand tiers were designed to minimize wind-gust penetration. New plans to renovate the Centre Court are in place, but they have not yet been implemented.

Centre Court Seating Map, Doha

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex does not feature a traditional "second court", which, in a classic setup, would be the arena with the second-largest seating capacity. Instead, the complex includes four Grandstand courts. Grandstand Courts 1 and 2 each have stands for 500 spectators, while Grandstand Courts 3 and 4 sit side by side and share a seating area for 1,400 fans. Nevertheless, the organizers structure the schedule and the draw so that Grandstand Court 1 takes priority immediately after the Centre Court. Consequently, it typically has superior permanent broadcasting facilities and offers more space for the press and VIP guests.

Tickets for matches on Grandstand Courts 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex are sold on a General Admission (Unreserved Seating) basis. Spectators select the date and court zone but are not assigned a specific seat. Seating in the stands is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if you want the best seats closest to the court, arrive well before the match begins. Spectators who have purchased tickets for Center Court also have free access to any Grandstand stands and outside courts, subject to seat availability.