ATP tournament release statement as Novak Djokovic accepts wild card to return after 15 years

Novak Djokovic has received a wild card to play the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

The Serbian star will return to Basel for the first time since 2011, as he continues his bid to qualify for the ATP Finals. Djokovic currently sits outside the qualification places, but could jump back into the top eight (top nine following Jannik Sinner’s injury) by winning the Swiss Indoors and the 500 ranking points that come with it.

Djokovic is a former champion in Basel, defeating the home favourite Roger Federer in the 2009 final. Announcing his long-awaited return, the Swiss Indoors posted the following message on Instagram.

Swiss Indoors welcome the ‘most successful tennis player of all time’ Novak Djokovic back to Basel

“A legend returns to Basel! Welcome back, Novak Djokovic! After three appearances from 2009 to 2011, including his tournament triumph in 2009, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and the most successful tennis player of all time returns to the Swiss Indoors Basel for the fourth time. We can’t wait to welcome you back, Novak Djokovic,” they wrote.

After winning the Swiss Indoors on his debut in 2009, he reached another final in 2010. Unfortunately for Djokovic, he came up short in the championship match, losing to Federer in three sets. Then, in 2011, Djokovic lost to Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic’s record in Basel (12-2)

• 2009 Swiss Indoors 1R [WIN] vs Andreas Beck, 6-3, 7-5
• 2009 Swiss Indoors 2R [WIN] vs Jan Hernych, 6-0, 6-0
• 2009 Swiss Indoors QF [WIN] vs Stan Wawrinka, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2
• 2009 Swiss Indoors SF [WIN] vs Radek Stepanek, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2
• 2009 Swiss Indoors F [WIN] vs Roger Federer, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
• 2010 Swiss Indoors 1R [WIN] vs Ernests Gulbis, 6-4, 6-2
• 2010 Swiss Indoors 2R [WIN] vs Jarkko Nieminen, 6-4, 7-6
• 2010 Swiss Indoors QF [WIN] vs Robin Haase, 6-2, 6-3
• 2010 Swiss Indoors SF [WIN] vs Viktor Troicki, 7-6, 6-4
• 2010 Swiss Indoors F [LOSS] vs Roger Federer, 4-6, 6-3, 1-6
• 2011 Swiss Indoors 1R [WIN] vs Xavier Malisse, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
• 2011 Swiss Indoors 2R [WIN] vs Lukasz Kubot, 6-1, 6-2
• 2011 Swiss Indoors QF [WIN] vs Marcos Baghdatis, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
• 2011 Swiss Indoors SF [LOSS] vs Kei Nishikori, 6-2, 6-7, 0-6

He hasn’t returned to Basel since, often choosing to rest up after the China Open and the Shanghai Masters before playing the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals at the end of the year.

However, Djokovic needs more points to qualify for the year-end championships this time around, and has therefore taken the necessary steps to earn himself a spot in Turin. But will it be enough?

Novak Djokovic is up against it in the ‘Race to Turin’

Rafael Jodar sits ninth in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’, the final qualification spot. The Spaniard has been on fire recently and is through to the Shanghai Masters semis and could yet add another 600 points to his tally.

However, if he fails to do so, Djokovic will remain within touching distance of the ATP Finals and a trip to Turin. He trails Jodar by 69 points, a gap he could easily close by winning the Swiss Indoors, where the Spaniard also intends to play.

Live ATP Race to Turin

Then, both players will head to France for the Paris Masters, where 1,000 ranking points are up for grabs. Djokovic needs to keep an eye on other players, too, though, including Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who is also above him in the ‘Race’.

If the Aussie outperforms him over the next few tournaments, it won’t matter if Djokovic catches Jodar. He needs to overtake both players to qualify for the 2026 ATP Finals. This year’s ATP Finals begin on Sunday, November 15. The Swiss Indoors starts on October 26.