ATP Tour 500 – EUR 2.196 million – 21 to 29 October 2023

First top commitments

The numbers 2 and 7 aren’t the new winning numbers in the numbered lotto; they are the first high-calibre player commitments for this year’s Swiss Indoors. The top duo is led by the youngest world number one of all time, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (ATP 2), followed by Denmark’s Holger Rune (ATP 7). Just a few months ago, the two 19-year-olds were trading as shooting stars – how time flies. They have now become outstanding figures of world tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz starts on Super Monday

The world of tennis has turned upside down. Aged just 19, Carlos Alcaraz has become the measure of all things. The tennis experts agree that he will transform the sport of tennis and take the game into a new dimension. The high-flyer from Murcia has already won the Indian Wells and Buenos Aires titles this year, and last week he triumphed over Tsitsipas in Barcelona after his win in the final. The tremendous force and precision behind his strokes leave his opponents trembling. Alcaraz will play his opening match at St. Jakob on Monday, 23 October 2023 as part of Super Monday. If things go in his favour, he will return to the court on Wednesday, 25 October.

Holger Rune also wins the hearts of fans

Carlos Alcaraz isn’t the only one taking things by storm: Holger Rune has also won the hearts of fans and disrupted the tennis scene with his carefree manner and varied playstyle. Entry into the top ten is just another stop on the road for the ambitious Dane, who made it to the final at last year’s Swiss Indoors (defeated by Félix Auger-Aliassime) and who, at the ATP Masters 1000 in Bercy, Paris, the following week, caused a stir with five victories against top-ten players. His crowning as ATP Newcomer of the Year was the logical consequence. He made an impressive start to this year’s clay court season with the final qualification in Monte Carlo and his win in Munich. His first-round match at Swiss Indoors is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 October 2023. His round of 16 would take place on Thursday, 26 October.

Swiss players on the radar

For the time being, the Swiss style of tennis is still lacking in the world-class field. Last year, the cut-off for direct qualification in the main field at Swiss Indoors was 51st place in the ATP, a mark that proves the incredible quality in Basel. No Swiss athletes are currently among the top 50 in the rankings. ‘Of course, we follow the results of the Swiss players very closely and hope for one or two exploits from our top performers. We will discuss the issue of wild cards after the summer holidays,’ explained tournament president Roger Brennwald.

Grand opening on Super Monday and other commitments

The musical programme for the Grand Opening on Super Monday and all other player commitments will be announced in the coming weeks, once the season on clay and grass courts has gained more profile.

Official advance ticket sales begin on Wednesday, 26 April 2023 at 10:00 am. Tickets can be ordered online via the Swiss Indoors website or the Ticketcorner website.