Roger Federer Agrees To Play Basel

Written by: Staff on 10th April 2013

Roger Federer Agrees To Play Basel

epa03619678 Roger Federer of Switzerland tosses the ball for a serve against Ivan Dodig of Croatia during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 11 March 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Local ties mean everything to Roger Federer, who will remain faithful to his home Swiss Indoors and has confirmed that he will return to the Basel event from October 21. Federer, whose lucrative appearance contract with the tournament expired last year at the event he has won five times, suggested that he will likely play – even without a guarantee in his hometown.

“I will play the Swiss Indoors,” said the world No. 3 who is in the middle of a training block in Switzerland as he spends his longest spell in the country for years.

Federer told the Tages Anzeiger newspaper: “I’ve played in Basel over the years, whenever I was not hurt. Everyone knows how much this means to me tournament, and that is still true. I’ve been a ball boy, played in the qualies and even as a junior hit with Andre Agassi.

“I’ve experienced many memorable moments in this unique atmosphere with the great fans, and I am pleased extremely to be able to experience this year. I can play in Basel also no contracts or arrangements, if I feel like it, and I did.

“To compete on home soil is very special for me because I’m on the road all year. I do not want to miss this chance.”

Federer ducked the issue of whether his people have re-negotiated his longtime guarantee with Basel: “I really don’t want to say anything further, because otherwise it just might be misinterpreted again. I never said that I will not play in Basel. And now I am trying to simplify this complicated matter.”

The 31-year-old will miss the weekend start of the European run-up to the French Open as he skips the Monte Carlo Masters to continue his training. His return is set for the first week of May at the Madrid Masters, where he won the trophy a year ago on controversial blue clay.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andre Agassi, Basel tennis tournament, Roger Federer, Swiss tennis news, Tennis News