DOHA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played on Sunday a unique game of tennis on a magic carpet in the Souq Waqif in Doha, marking the start of the 2010 AFP World Tour.

    The two best tennis players in the world have arrived in Doha for one of the first three events of the year, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The other two ATP World Tour events of the first week of 2010 are the Aircel Chennai Open and the Brisbane International.

    "It was fun to play Rafa on yet another stage, we have had so many battles on a lot of different courts but this was the first time for anyone to play on a magic carpet," said world No. 1 and reigning ATP World Tour champion Federer.

    "2009 was a memorable year for me on and off the court. I look forward to the new season and it is one of my goals to hold on to the No. 1 ranking position," he said.

    2010 ATP World Tour includes 62 tournaments in 32 countries and culminates with the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London at the end of November.

    Federer has been the ATP World Tour champion five times while Nadal was the 2008 ATP World Tour champion. The two will go head-to-head in the battle to be crowned 2010 ATP World Tour champion.