20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has signed up to play Basel, according to Rene Stauffer.
Breaking news: @rogerfederer will return to the #swissindoors in Basel end of October. His first confirmed start on the ATP-Tour after the #LaverCup in September. Hasn’t played since Wimbledon 2021 (QF ag Hurcakz). Won 10 Titles in his hometown, including the last of his 103.
— rene stauffer (@staffsky) April 26, 2022
Federer, who will be turning 41 in August, hasn’t played since Wimbledon because of a knee surgery.
Federer underwent two knee surgeries in 2020 but returned to the tour last year.
After playing just five tournaments, Federer underwent a third knee surgery.
Earlier this year, Federer confirmed he plans to play the Laver Cup in late September.
Federer signing up for Basel doesn’t neccessarily mean that it will be first ATP event of the year as he could return sooner.
Federer holds the record for the most Basel titles
Federer has enjoyed lots of success in Basel throughout his career as he is a record 10-time champion at the tournament.
In his last 13 Basel appearances, Federer made at least the final.
Federer’s last loss in Basel came in 2013, when he was beaten by Juan Martin del Potro in the final.
Since then, Federer has won five Basel titles.
Federer officially confirming he plans to return shouldn’t come as a surprise.
In the annual report Federer publishes each year, he highlighted he still feels he can compete on the biggest level.
“After many month of battling injury, my return to the tour in March, after my first operation, highlighted and energized me to continue my tennis career. I’m grateful for every minute I was able to spend with my fans and tennis family on court. My experience in Doha illustrated to me that my journey as an elite athlete isn’t over yet. The progress I make every day strengthens my belief that I will be healthy and strong enough to return to the tennis court at the highest level,” Federer wrote in his annual report.
After not staging the event in 2020 and 2021, Basel returns to the calendar this year as it is scheduled to take place between October 24-30.
Federer will return as the defending champion.