Published on Oct. 23, 2024 at 9:36 p.m., updated on Oct. 23, 2024 at 7:43 p.m.
On the ATP calendar this week, the Basel tournament made a clean sweep of the past and its local hero, Roger Federer.
Who says Basel says Roger Federer, and Halle Saint-Jacques, necessarily. This week, the Swiss Indoors are in the spotlight on the ATP calendarheadlined by a Swiss who has worked hard for Swiss tennis: not “Rodgeur” but his Davis Cup alter ego Stan Wawrinka.
What about the newly retired maestro then, here, in his Basel lair? Not much if we are to believe the daily Blick, which notes the surprising absence of Roger Federer in this temple of Swiss tennis: “ No image, no plaque, no object, no bust, no evocation of the star from the fold. At most his name is mentioned on the list near the main entrance. But that really seems to be the only thing we want to remember here… »
A heavy liability with the tournament boss
Ten times winner of the trophy here – a record – 15 times finalist and also record holder for the number of victories (75) – Roger Federer is clearly no longer a prophet in his country, he who in his early childhood played ball boy on these courts who would contribute to his legend. But then why such disenchantment?
While the Swiss Indoors are in full swing this week in Basel, one element strikes the minds that wander through the Halle Saint-Jacques: not a trace, or almost, of Roger Federer. An element which tends to confirm his quarrel with the organizations… https://t.co/Z9XgkoL2qG
— look | fr (@Blick_fr) October 23, 2024
According to the Swiss publication mentioned above, Roger Federer in 2012 fell out with the boss of the Basel tournament, Roger Brennwald, over a dispute over cachet. So big money. If the relationship was able to calm down during the following editions, the rag ignited again in 2022 when, in the middle of a farewell tour, the Wimbledon boss did not deign to make the detour to the house, putting forward a calendar incompatibility which in Basel went badly. Same disillusionment the following year when Roger Federer declined the invitation sent to him for a tribute ceremony.
