"Djokovic can win the title in Basel"

The 2009 tournament champion arrives in Switzerland after winning the title in Beijing and taking a break that could help him shine once again.

Djokovic lifted the trophy in the Chinese capital two weeks ago, while his run at the Shanghai Masters ended in his very first match. According to Isner, the time away from competition could prove important as the season continues.

“He won the title in Beijing two weeks ago, then lost his opening match in Shanghai, and now he has had time to get some proper rest, both physically and mentally. Staying fresh is very important for him, and now he has that freshness again,” said the American, who was known throughout his career for having one of the most devastating serves in the world.

The Serbian tennis star’s original plans were different. Djokovic was scheduled to compete in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, but the event was cancelled due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the airport. This opened up the possibility of his return to Basel, the city where Roger Federer was born and where Novak last competed 15 years ago.

A week off, combined with a strong result in Beijing, gave Novak Djokovic an additional reason to join the race for a place at the ATP Finals in Turin. However, if the tournament in Riyadh had gone ahead, Djokovic almost certainly would not have travelled to Switzerland, according to John Isner.

“I would say there was a 99 per cent chance he wouldn’t have played in Basel if Riyadh hadn’t been cancelled. It would have been too much for him, as he would have had to compete for three consecutive weeks, including Basel, the tournament in Riyadh, and the Paris Masters,” the American explained.

The competition in Basel will be far from easy, and based on the current entry list, Djokovic is expected to be only the fourth seed. Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils, and Rafael Jódar are ahead of him, while Félix Auger-Aliassime has withdrawn from the tournament.

Isner, however, believes that this draw does not diminish Novak’s chances.

“Basel will be a very strong tournament. Djokovic is expected to be the fourth seed, but he is currently playing well enough to win another title, just as he did in Beijing,” the former American tennis player pointed out.

For Isner, what is particularly significant is that Djokovic continues to find the motivation to compete at the highest level, despite having the option to end his season and focus on preparations for the next one.

“His decision to enter the Basel tournament shows that he is still hungry for success, perhaps more than ever. After winning the title in Beijing, he could have called it a season, taken some time off, and started preparing for the Australian Open. But he wants more. Everyone would have understood if he had decided to take a break after his disappointing performance at the US Open,” said Isner, who has beaten Djokovic twice and lost to him ten times.

Djokovic’s return to Basel could also carry additional significance. The Serbian tennis star currently has 102 career titles, and if he were to win in Switzerland, he would claim his 103rd trophy and draw level with Roger Federer.