The Swiss Indoors tournament, one of the largest indoor competitions in the world, began on Saturday, in Basel, Switzerland. The event, which will run until November 6, features some of the most recognisable faces in world tennis, including Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer.
Part of the ATP World Tour 500 series of tournaments, the Swiss Indoors presents a novel challenge for players used to the open air stadia of Wimbledon, the US Open, and many other events. However, one player in particular may feel at home in Basel, this week; Switzerland’s Roger Federer. Those who bet online will be keeping a close eye on him.
The 30-year-old will no doubt be hoping that the familiar surroundings will give him a boost over his rivals.
Federer will have gone a full year without winning a title, come January 2012, a drought that represents a dramatic change in fortunes for the sixteen-time Grand Slam winner. His last major victory was at the Australian Open in 2010, when he defeated Andy Murray to claim the gold. The tennis player says that he is “hungry for victory”.
“I’m completely relaxed, and I hope [the Indoors] goes well, like last year”, Federer said. His comments allude to his defeat of Djokovic at the competition, in 2010. He won 6–4, 3–6, 6–1 at the St. Jakobshalle. “The training is going well and I’m really fit”, Federer added.
Djokovic, on the other hand, says that he doesn’t expect to be “one hundred percent” in Switzerland, following a recent back injury. Fans of tennis betting should remember this.
In addition to being significant due to the popularity of the participants, this year’s Swiss Indoors is also notable for featuring no tennis players from outside the Top 40 on the ATP rankings board.
Consequently, the event’s president, Roger Brennwald, believes that the competition will be completely different to last year’s event.
