Roger Federer rules the tennis world with 19 Grand Slam titles. Logically, he is Switzerland's biggest figurehead and the most famous player from Basel. And with 7 victories, he is also the undisputed king of the Swiss Indoors. It doesn't matter how many more titles he wins before the age of 39.
Switzerland's annual tennis highlight takes place from October 21 to 29. However, fans and organizers of the Swiss Indoors already had reason to celebrate in February: Roger Federer (35) extended his contract with the traditional Basel tournament for a further three years! Tournament Director Roger Brennwald speaks of a "unique stroke of luck" - he would only have been satisfied if "Roger National" had signed up for another staging.
Now it's three years. And that means - provided the champ stays healthy - three more weeks of October with a full house, a great atmosphere and visits from the Swiss crème de la crème to the St. Jakobshalle, as well as a global glow of glamor and prestige. It also means that the Swiss Indoors 2018 will now move into the stadium, which has been renovated at a cost of over 100 million Swiss francs, with Federer. And with him, it will probably also enjoy the second-highest 500 status in the new ATP calendar from 2019.
King Roger on the entry list - that's like winning the lottery for any tournament, especially for the home event. As Switzerland's most expensive sporting event with a budget of 18.5 million, the Swiss Indoors has always enjoyed full stands and magnificent line-ups, even in the years without Federer - there have only been three since his debut in 1998 (2004, 2005 and 2016). However, the spark that makes the top event an all-round successful sporting and social must-see did not ignite the same fireworks as with Federer.
You can rely on King Roger - like Swiss clockwork
Neither the second biggest world star Rafael Nadal nor Stan Wawrinka, the other home star of Swiss tennis, could do anything to change that. The Mallorcan, who was given the role of figurehead, missed two of the last four events. When he did compete, he still didn't win. The tournament was even less fortunate for the Frenchman: in addition to eight first-round defeats, his best results include two semi-finals.
Roger Federer, on the other hand, can be relied on like Swiss clockwork. Since his first participation in 1998, he has reached the final twelve times (for the first time in 2000), winning seven of them. On home soil, the former Basel ball boy is a kind of guarantee of success - on and off the court. He tirelessly signs autographs for his ardent fans, honors the sponsors in the Village and amuses the spectators in an on-court interview with Heinz Günthardt. If he loses, it is usually through tears. If he wins, he thanks the enthusiastic ball kids with pizza. Despite his record successes and megastar status, Federer never forgets his roots. His parents' down-to-earth upbringing dictates that he does, and they also clap dutifully in the VIP stands when their son is not on center court.
For Roger Federer, the Swiss Indoors are an affair of the heart - this fall as well.
For the King of Basel, the Swiss Indoors are an affair of the heart. And in the fall of this year, which he started so triumphantly after his knee injury in Melbourne, Indian Wells, Miami and most recently in Wimbledon, he will defend his empire to the death. Federer is scheduled to fight for the first time on Tuesday (24.10.). With Nadal (opens on 23.10.), Wawrinka (25.10.) and Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic, dangerous attackers are storming towards his fortress. But even if they shake the throne, it won't change one thing: Roger will sit on it forever in Basel.
SWISS INDOORS
21 - 29.10.2017, St. Jakobshalle Basel
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