Roger Federer to play ATP Basel tournament in October

Roger Federer, the former world number one in men’s tennis, will play singles at the ATP Basel indoor tournament in October, despite being afflicted by repeated knee ailments for the past two years, according to organisers.

Federer, who hasn’t competed since falling to Pole Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarterfinals last July, replied to the organisers’ Instagram announcement with the message: “Looking forward to playing back home.”

The competition, like the 10-time champion, will be returning after a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the Swiss Indoors Basel will return to the ATP Tour in the fall of 2022,” organisers said in a statement.

“10-time singles champion and hometown hero Roger Federer has announced his comeback to the stadium at St. Jakobshalle,” adding that “the worldwide interest…is expected to be tremendous”.

Federer, who turns 41 in August, will also compete in the three-day Laver Cup in London in September with long-time adversary Rafael Nadal.

At the first event in 2017, the two teamed up to play doubles.

Last year, Federer pulled out of the Olympics and underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months to “suture” his right internal meniscus and “treat (his) cartilage.”

Federer only played 13 times in 2021, after only playing six times in 2020.

Federer is tied for second with Novak Djokovic with 20 Grand Slam trophies, one behind Rafael Nadal, who won the season-opening Australian Open.

The 2018 Australian Open was Federer’s most recent Grand Slam victory.

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