Oct 16 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic has received a wildcard entry to the Swiss Indoors Basel, marking his first participation in the tournament since 2011. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is aiming for a spot in the ATP Finals and his 103rd career title.
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The 39-year-old Serbian recently completed a mixed swing through Asia, where he won a record seventh China Open but faced an unexpected second-round loss to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at the Shanghai Masters, a tournament he has historically dominated.
Djokovic’s season has not met his usual standards, highlighted by his first-round exit at the US Open, which was his earliest defeat at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
His decision to include Basel in his schedule is notable, especially since he indicated after the Shanghai defeat that he would only participate in the Paris Masters, scheduled for November 2-8, before the ATP Finals.
Competing in Basel provides Djokovic with a chance to bolster his position for a 17th ATP Finals appearance. Currently, he ranks 11th in the ATP Live Race to Turin and must secure a place in the top nine. The absence of world number one Jannik Sinner, who is sidelined due to a knee injury, may help his cause.
This will be Djokovic’s fourth appearance in Basel, where he previously claimed the title in 2009 by defeating Swiss legend Roger Federer in the final. He will face a competitive field that includes Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz during the ATP 500 indoor hardcourt event, which runs from October 26 to November 1. (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)