THE WORLD OF MARA - EPISODE SIX

The notes of Rock This Party as I entered the court at Doha Metal detectors and American fighters whizzing through the sky

2007-03-12 to 2008-04-30

A very different country from the United Arab Emirates. This is your first impression when you get out of the plane at the airport of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Enormous portraits of the reigning Emir are located everywhere in the city and seem to watch over the work of his subjects.

Even the atmosphere seems less festive than that of Dubai. I attribute this difference to a greater observance of the Muslim religion by the inhabitants of Qatar, compared with those of the Emirates.

The women are completely covered by the black Islamic veil and the men are wrapped in long white tunics with the kefijah (the typical red and white or black and white Arab handkerchief) and the iqal (the black cord used to tie it on their heads).

Yes, Doha is really a different city. At the traditional welcome ceremony I had to wear a long tunic, too. I felt so awkward I nearly fell over. Just as well I didn't have to wear it every day while I was training!

All the players had to choose a song which would be played as they entered the court in order to make their entrance more spectacular. I chose Bob Sinclair's song "Rock This Party". It really charges me up. The hotel was wonderful with a view over the sea. You can relax just by looking out of your bedroom balcony.

The first match of the tournament was against the wildcard Sandra Klösel, a German girl who is athletically very strong. I thought I'd have to struggle less to beat her, since I'm really playing my best, in spite of the small physical problems which you already know about.

I truly had to pull out all my stops, but in the end I managed it with 6-3 7-6 after two hours' game and the people standing up to applaud us. In the doubles, with Vera Duchevina, one of the many Russians on the circuit, we won easily against the German Henke and the Colombian Castano.

There were lots of checks with metal detectors while American fighters were whizzing about the skies. The danger of terrorism is always on the horizon, especially in a country which is so radical and where religious tensions are ever-present. As for the food, lots of meat and lots of fish of every kind, always accompanied by the typical Arab bread.

But even in Doha the international cuisine is taking the place of the traditional Bedouin foods. The "home teams' match" with my training companion and friend Francesca Schiavone.

A great first set, which I won 6-4. Parity in the second, up to the tiebreak which Francesca won 7-6. I had given my all in the second set, trying to close the match, because my wrist continued to trouble me.

I tried to resist at the beginning of the third, but I just couldn't hold the racket in my hand any more and strike the ball, so I had to withdraw, it would have been useless to continue. What a pity, during that week I'd shown my best tennis of the season. Now I've got a few days' break before leaving for the United States.

My destination is the Miami tournament. Back to the United States for hard-court tennis, fast ground that suits me. I really hope to come back to Europe with some good athletics news. A hug from Doha. Mara