Roger Federer’s nonattendance at the Swiss Indoors in Basel has sparked speculation that a strained relationship with event organizers may be behind his absence. Though he retired in 2022, Federer’s legendary career included ten titles at his hometown tournament, where he last competed in 2019.
Since hanging up his racket, Federer has made selective public appearances at various tournaments, including Wimbledon, the US Open, and, more recently, the Shanghai Masters for a charity match. Fans in Switzerland have noted his absence from the Swiss Indoors, an event that once centered on his presence as its main draw.
According to Swiss news source Blick, Federer and the Swiss Indoors’ tournament director, Roger Brennwald, have faced intermittent friction over the years, dating back to a disagreement in 2012 about Federer’s appearance fee. Although the pair seemed to reconcile temporarily—Federer even waived his fee in 2014, directing funds to his foundation—their relationship has reportedly grown tense again in recent years.
In 2022, after his emotional farewell at the Laver Cup, Federer declined to appear at the Basel event, citing a need for time and space post-retirement. While Brennwald initially respected this choice, Federer’s continued absence seems to have sparked renewed speculation about the real reasons behind his decision. Many believe commercial factors might play a role, with some suggesting that Federer’s willingness to travel for a recent charity event in China, but not to Basel, has fueled the debate further.
Despite Federer’s standing as a ten-time champion, the Swiss Indoors has not prominently featured or honored him in the 2024 tournament, with only a brief mention of his name among past winners. While Federer maintains that his decision to avoid the event is primarily emotional, fans are left wondering if underlying tensions with the organizers are the real reason behind his absence.
