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Tennis fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The field of participants in Basel still looks good even after Carlos Alcaraz (20, ATP 2) withdrew due to an injury: top players such as Holger Rune (20, ATP 6), Casper Ruud (24, ATP 8) are playing at the Swiss Indoors ), Taylor Fritz (25, ATP 10), Hubert Hurkacz (26, ATP 11) and Alex de Minaur (24, ATP 13). There are also defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime (23, ATP 17) and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray (36, ATP 39).
And yet it remains to be seen how Alcaraz’s cancellation will affect viewers. The fact is: Last year the first edition was successful without record winner and local hero Roger Federer (42) – with a total of 67,100 fans, the tournament was at a comparable level to Federer’s time.
What makes the ATP 500 tournament attractive even without Alcaraz: After his sensational comeback as a coach, Boris Becker (55) is expected in Basel. The six-time Grand Slam winner has recently been looking after the younger Rune and should coach him out of his dip in form. And: Alcaraz’s absence also has a positive impact on the Swiss field of participants. Stan Wawrinka (38, ATP 46) inherited the main table spot from the Wimbledon winner after his cancellation. In addition, a wildcard was released for Leandro Riedi (21, ATP 159). The same applies to the Zuricher in the main tournament as to the Basel talent Mika Brunold (19, ATP 561) in the qualification: you have nothing to lose.
Knitters under pressure
It is different for the other Swiss: Dominic Stricker (21, ATP 90) is experiencing a real bear market after his US Open high. He has not won a match since the eighth finals in New York at the beginning of September. He is under pressure in Basel because he still has to defend his top 100 position this autumn.
After his ranking dropped to 171st place, Marc-Andrea Hüsler (27) even has to pass the qualification (from Saturday). And Wawrinka has celebrated just one win on tour since the US Open. Will the great Swiss turning point follow in Basel?
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
