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Wawrinka begins his farewell week in Basel as Djokovic returns after 15 years
The 41-year-old Swiss, a three-time major champion, retires after the Swiss Indoors and opens against Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday. Djokovic, champion in 2011, faces Ugo Humbert.
Key points
- Stan Wawrinka, 41, plays his last tournament at his home event in Basel.
- Novak Djokovic is back in Basel for the first time since winning it in 2011.
- Ben Shelton is top seed and opens against Casper Ruud.
Stan Wawrinka starts the last week of his career at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where the main draw gets under way on Monday, and the home crowd will also see Novak Djokovic for the first time since he won the title in 2011.
Wawrinka, 41, is retiring after the tournament. He is due to open on Tuesday against the eighth seed, Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic.
A long career, an even record at home
Wawrinka reached No. 3 in the rankings and won 16 tour-level titles, three of them Grand Slams. Basel has been a harder place for him. He reached the semi-finals in 2006 and 2011 and has won 17 matches and lost 17 at his home event.
Djokovic back on the indoor swing
Djokovic arrives in good form. He won his 102nd tour-level title in Beijing earlier this month and is 11th in the race for the eight places at the season-ending finals in Turin. He opens against France’s Ugo Humbert.
The American Ben Shelton is the top seed and begins against Casper Ruud. Arthur Fils, the second seed, plays Hubert Hurkacz, and Rafael Jodar meets Alejandro Tabilo.
In doubles, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz are the top seeds, with Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool seeded second.
Basel is one of two ATP 500 events this week, alongside the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.