The 24-time Grand Slam champion will return to Basel for the first time since 2011. The tournament organisers announced his entry on Friday, 16 October, confirming the Serbian star’s return to the ATP 500 indoor hard-court event.
At 39, Djokovic is targeting his 103rd career ATP Tour title. He has won the Basel tournament once, in 2009, when he defeated home favourite Roger Federer in the final. His return will mark his fourth appearance at the event.
Djokovic seeks crucial points in Turin race
Djokovic’s decision to play in Basel comes as he attempts to improve his position in the ATP Race to Turin. He was sitting outside the qualifying places following an inconsistent run of results, including an early exit at the Shanghai Masters.
The Serbian had previously indicated that the Paris Masters, scheduled for early November, would be his only remaining tournament before the ATP Finals. His Basel entry gives him an additional opportunity to earn valuable ranking points before the season-ending competition.
Only the top eight singles players in the race qualify for the ATP Finals. Djokovic is a seven-time champion of the prestigious event, having last won it in 2023.
China Open triumph followed by Shanghai setback
Djokovic arrived at the end of the Asian swing with contrasting results. He captured the China Open title in Beijing earlier this month to claim the 102nd ATP Tour title of his career, but his Shanghai Masters campaign ended with a surprise defeat to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
His wildcard entry also follows the postponement of the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, which had been scheduled for October. The exhibition has been moved to December, creating a change in Djokovic’s planned schedule.
Strong field awaits in Basel
Djokovic joins a competitive field for the Swiss Indoors, which also features leading players including Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz.
The tournament runs from 26 October to 1 November and provides Djokovic with another chance to build momentum before the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals qualification deadline.
With a place in Turin still at stake, his return to Basel could prove an important part of his late-season campaign.