mtenis.com.pl

An entry list that packs a powerful punch

From 21 October, all eyes in the tennis world will be fixed on Basel in eager anticipation: two superstars will be taking to the court for the upcoming Swiss Indoors – Rafael Nadal, the new world number one, and Roger Federer, ranked just one place lower. Between them, these two titans won all four Grand Slam titles in 2017. Never before has the Basel event had the chance to showcase two such consummate champions in the same contest. The official entry list from Ponte Vedra (USA) also packs a powerful punch. The first official cut-off point at close of entries was ATP rank 53.

Harking back to 1998 with Pete Sampras and Pat Rafter

After what has so far been a turbulent season full of injuries and forfeits, it takes a little bit of luck – as well as skill – for an event organiser to enlist the two biggest crowd pullers in the game as the top two seeds in its main field. Yet this is not the first time the Swiss Indoors Basel has welcomed the leading pair in the ATP rankings: Pete Sampras (USA/1) and Patrick Rafter (Australia/2) led the field here back in 1998. Now Nadal and Federer are the ones thrilling spectators with their drive and power. Both players have the chance to make maximum gains in the rankings before the season draws to a close, having been forced to quit the 2016 season early due to bad luck with injuries. 'Unfortunately that’s the unpredictable nature of elite sport,' says tournament president Roger Brennwald, who attaches particular importance to consistency when it comes to dealing with the stars.

Crowd favourite del Potro goes for his third title

The Swiss tennis highlight is once again set to serve up some top-quality action in the
St. Jakobshalle. Reigning champion Marin Cilic has climbed to fifth place in the ATP rankings –
a career best for the Croatian. For proof of just how star-studded this year's line-up is, look no further than the Argentinian player Juan Martin del Potro. As things currently stand, the two-time Basel champion and crowd favourite is ranked 24th by the ATP and therefore misses out on a place in the eight-man seeding list. Athletic powerhouse Nick Kyrgios (ATP 20) has all the skills needed to take a shot at the title. The feisty Australian will be making his debut in Switzerland.

New faces bring a breath of fresh air

As a recognised showcase for world tennis in Switzerland, the Swiss Indoors always presents new trends and fresh faces, such as South Korea's Hyeon Chung (ATP 44) or the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP 13), a player reputed for his tenacity who has already won titles in Winston-Salem (North Carolina) and Chennai (India) this season. Two contestants attracting more and more attention on the tennis scene are a couple of rising stars from Canada: Felix Auger-Aliassime (ATP 162), a 17-year-old prodigy who has been granted a wild card for the qualifying rounds, and Denis Shapovalov (ATP 51), who is currently the youngest professional ranked in the top hundred. The tournament management first made contact with these talented youngsters months ago when they were still down in the lower echelons of the rankings.

Frances Tiafoe – America's new whiz kid?

The USA, which has failed to produce any top-ten players for a longer period, now has some cause for hope in the form of Frances Tiafoe, who is son of immigrants. This incredibly strong and wiry 19-year-old athlete, whose parents come from Sierra Leone, is shooting to prominence and is currently ranked 71st in the world, putting him on standby for the Basel tournament. Regardless of this, Tiafoe has decided to enter the qualification rounds with the aim of breaking into the main field.

Amy Macdonald and Nadal to star on Super Monday, with Federer to feature on Tuesday

The entertaining opening ceremony on Super Monday, with performances by Amy Macdonald and the Basel Sinfonietta, will begin at 5.30 p.m. This will be followed by the opening match involving Rafael Nadal. Record-holder Roger Federer is due to enter the fray on Tuesday. There are still a few tickets available for both days.

The drawing of the blue balls (picture) brings fortune or misfortune at the drawing ceremony, depending on who fishes which ball with which name on it out of the bowl. Regarding the future, the Swiss Indoors will not have to rely on blue wonders. President Roger Brennwald (71) sketched out some important dates in an interview with the Swiss «Sonntagszeitung» newspaper. This includes the renovated, modernised St. Jakobshalle, to be inaugurated with tennis on 22 October 2018. And in 2020, the Indoors will be celebrating its 50-year jubilee. No sweet without sweat: promoter Brennwald appeared impressed by the new arena, saying «it will be a jewel». The rights owner offered praise to his logistics team around Christian Kern, who had to provide a lot of flexibility. By the way, the largest Swiss sports event has a budget of 18.5 to 19 million Swiss francs. The Indoors stands for solidity, when one bears in mind that the Greater Zurich region has lost its world cup cycling event, and in 2018 the Zurich CSI show jumping event will be staged for the last time. Brennwald’s team relies on its own initiative, and correspondingly enjoys a lot of goodwill in wide business circles. More in any case than for the new Olympic project Sion 2026: it is common knowledge that the figures as presented (requirements: one billion Swiss francs in taxation) have been estimated far too modestly.