ATP: Rafael Nadal not at the start in Basel: Tournament director reveals the real reason

Rafael Nadal will not compete in the ATP tournament in Basel this year. For the first time since 2012, the Spaniard is not on the entry list – with a special reason, which tournament director Roger Brennwald has now announced.

The current number one in the world will not compete in Basel. Rafael Nadal’s contract with the tournament in Switzerland was not extended and the spectators now have to give up the Spaniard’s arts – at least for the time being.

Basel Tournament Director Roger Brennwald now explained why the three-year contract with the 17-time Grand Slam Champion was not extended. The reason for the failed talks is the university safety of the Spaniard in Basel. Nadal only hit Switzerland in 2014 and 2015 and cancelled in 2013, 2016 and last year due to injury.

“It just makes things complicated. I have the feeling that cancellations are becoming more and more the norm. But we cannot influence cancellations, injuries or illness. Such things happen and influence the tournament,” Brennwald told the Aargauer Zeitung.

Last season’s cancellation in particular worries the tournament director: “I am of the opinion that he could have played fewer tournaments to get ready for Basel. He (Nadal, editor’s note) is not our first priority for 2018, it’s always difficult to plan a tournament like this and reality catches up with you quickly. We must be content with what we have.”

Brunnwald has already signed several top players for the showdown in Basel. With local hero and permanent guest Roger Federer, the public’s favourite and defending champion returns. Other high-profile stars such as Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic and Juan Martín del Potro, who reached the final last year, will also be joining in.

Nadal’s absence could give hope to the ATP tournament in Vienna. Tournament director Herwig Straka explained that there are already efforts to lure Nadal to Austria. But Straka and Co. would have to dig deep into their pockets. Nadal is to receive a circulated sum of one million US dollars for a competition.