Roger Brennwald Takes Stock: “The New Era Has Not Yet Fully Reached The Audience”
Ah, Roger Brennwald, the tournament director who’s as delightful as a freshly peeled banana in a tennis match—slightly squishy but always entertaining. At his annual press conference, he’s like that granddad who, while proud of his garden gnomes, still doesn’t understand why nobody’s keen to visit. His headline? The world’s number one player might as well be at home watching reruns of “Antiques Roadshow,” and frankly, he’s okay with that.
On the Unexpected Finalists
Now, the final match between Ben Shelton and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard—oh, that’s a mouthful! Sounds like a spell from Harry Potter, doesn’t it? But according to Roger, nobody saw that coming. He admits he couldn’t pronounce Mpetshi Perricard’s name, which makes two of us—my tongue just did a backflip trying. Despite that, he’s thrilled with Shelton’s performance. It’s nice to see someone serving strong without damaging their back, eh? Oh, what we’d give to serve like that—and I don’t mean the kind served at a dodgy tennis-themed restaurant.
The Saudi Competition
Then there’s the elephant in the room: a show tournament in Saudi Arabia with $15 million up for grabs. Roger comments, “Competition stimulates business,” like a man who’s just discovered that the neighbor’s fancy barbecues can diversify the hot dog market. It’s sweet of him to stay positive while quietly wondering how they’ll ever convince a top-five player to come to Basel when they can rake in the dough in the desert. Let’s face it; nobody’s hopping on a plane to Switzerland for less money when there are golden sand dunes and palm trees calling. Can’t blame the players—they’ve got mortgages to pay too!
86.7% Satisfaction: The Audience Engagement
Speaking of numbers, Roger mentioned 63,200 spectators—an impressive utilization rate of 86.7%. That’s like inviting 10 friends over and being happy that eight showed up instead of the one who claimed they didn’t receive the invite—classic! He’s pleased, claiming a good crowd compared to previous years, but he also admits that the “new era” of the Swiss Indoors hasn’t quite hit home yet. It’s almost like waiting for your favorite TV show to regain its lost spark—everyone’s sitting tight, hoping something spectacular happens before it gets canceled.
An Investment in the Future of Tennis
And what’s this? Roger’s dabbling in the youth scene by holding a tournament for Swiss youth players? That’s a bit of a smooth move, trying to catch the next Federer before he starts charging for appearances. They handed out 3,000 entries like they were free samples at Costco. Engage the youth—who knew Roger had the right idea? Perhaps he’s trying to build a tennis empire on the backs of eager youngsters, hoping one of them will grow into the next big thing. The man’s got moves like Jagger—oh wait, wrong sport!
A Title Sponsor? Not So Much!
Now, let’s talk sponsorship. The Swiss Indoors hasn’t had a title sponsor in fourteen years—ouch! Roger’s reasoning? The tobacco giant Davidoff left due to advertising restrictions. So now he’s navigating the choppy waters of sponsorship like a sailor without a map. He claims he’s okay with it, but every time he mentions the brand’s reputation, you can almost hear a sad trombone in the background. He’s getting more partners, it’s true, but you can tell he could probably trade a gnome or two for a nice logo on the official marshalling hand towels.
Prize Money Politics
When asked why there are discrepancies in prize money between tournaments, Roger chuckles, “These things are unchangeable.” If only he had a magic wand to fix that! It’s like going to your local takeaway and finding out you’re charged differently for a portion of chips based on the tattoo the chef has. Makes you want to enter the kitchen and start shouting “price equality!”
The Future of Basel’s Tennis Scene
Finally, will the world’s best keep coming to Basel? Roger seems cautiously optimistic. The tennis landscape is more crowded than a London tube at rush hour. He’s busy tying to bring in players who will “explode” over the next few years, which sounds a bit violent—like a tennis version of “The Hunger Games.” It’s a bit of a gamble, but if his nurturing of young talent works out, we might just see the next big star waving to the crowd from the Basel stage.
In Conclusion: A Story of Growth
So there you have it, folks! Roger Brennwald is not just a tournament director; he’s a vision holder, a name mispronouncer, and a strategic planner who believes in taking Swiss Indoors and the youth of Switzerland into a future as bright as a neon sign at a sausage stand. Let’s hope the audience starts showing up with the same energy!
This version captures the sharp observational humor and playful tone reminiscent of each comedian, blending insightful commentary on Roger Brennwald’s statements with cheeky quips and puns.
Roger Brennwald reflects on the future: “The new era has not yet fully resonated with fans”
During his annual press conference, Tournament Director Roger Brennwald expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming 2024 Swiss Indoors, stating that the absence of the current world number one from Basel would not significantly impact the event’s atmosphere or prestige. The 78-year-old veteran elaborated on the continued absence of a title sponsor for the prestigious tournament.
Roger Brennwald continues to grapple with identifying finalists. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard proves to be a linguistic challenge.
Bild: Georgios Kefalas / Keystone
What do you think of the final match between Ben Shelton and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard?
Roger Brennwald: The matchup between Shelton and Perricard was completely unexpected. I don’t recall witnessing anyone serve so powerfully as Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has done throughout this tournament. Admittedly, his name is difficult for me to pronounce, and I was unfamiliar with him prior to this week. In contrast, Ben Shelton has been the standout performer, having produced thrilling matches against top competitors like Arthur Fils and Andrej Rublev, which I consider the highlights of this year’s competition.
What are your thoughts on the new competition from the Swiss Indoors, a show tournament held in Saudi Arabia just before your event, which attracted top global players with $15 million on the line?
Competition can indeed invigorate the business landscape. However, I must clarify my preference does not lean towards exhibitions. Over the years, we’ve managed to establish ourselves as a significant player on the international tennis scene repeatedly. As of now, feedback suggests that the Saudi tournament will not continue. That said, we did lose the opportunity to sign a top-five player due to it. We have to come to terms with this, as Basel is not Wimbledon, and we do not claim to be the best; rather, our focus is on maximizing our potential.
Overall, 63,200 spectators attended this year. Are you satisfied with an 86.7 percent utilization rate?
This year, we’ve actually recorded a higher turnout compared to the past two editions, marking a noticeable improvement. While we only sold out the final Sunday, we came very close to reaching full capacity—around 8,100 spectators—on three separate occasions. However, I must acknowledge that the new era of Swiss Indoors has yet to fully attract the audience we aspire to reach.
Have you noticed an increase in genuine tennis fans rather than just those drawn to the star players?
In preparation for the Swiss Indoors, we organized a tournament specifically for young Swiss players, featuring the finest regional talents. Henry Bernet emerged victorious, securing a wild card for qualification. Around this event, we distributed 3,000 entries to various community members, including club presidents and esteemed tennis educators. While this initiative serves as a test run, we view it as a considerable investment in fostering the local tennis community.
Why has the Swiss Indoors been without a title sponsor for the past fourteen years?
Our previous long-term partnership with Davidoff was cut short due to new advertising restrictions on tobacco companies. Since then, I have not actively sought out a title sponsor. This decision has led to two key advantages: the Swiss Indoors itself has evolved into a recognizable brand, and our other partners maintain an equal standing. While a new title sponsor could undoubtedly attract additional partnerships, it is not currently a priority for me.
Why does the competitor tournament in Vienna offer higher prize money than Basel?
It puzzles me why ATP 500 tournaments have varying prize money levels; I find those differences quite perplexing. Prize money is determined by the historical significance of a tournament and various factors that are often bewildering to me. (Laughs)
Roger Brennwald expresses confusion over the differing prize money distribution among tournaments of the same category.
Bild: Georgios Kefalas / KEYSTONE
How do you perceive Basel’s participant field this year relative to that of the competing tournament in Vienna?
Vienna has indeed made significant strides in player quality over the last year. When I learned in the spring about the exhibition tournament set in Saudi Arabia featuring stars like Medvedev and Zverev participating in Austria, I anticipated tough competition ahead. However, I can confidently state that our plans have come to fruition. We’ve made strides by focusing on engaging the “Next Gen” players effectively, as illustrated by our impressive recruitment numbers ahead of the tournament this year, including prominent talents like Shelton and Fils, alongside defending champion Auger-Aliassime, with high-profile names such as Tsitsipas and Rublev also promising great competitive appeal.
Do you foresee the world’s top players continuing to participate in Basel in the years ahead?
We are undeniably in a new era of tennis. The current competition landscape is so dense that making predictions becomes virtually impossible. When we secured players back in March, we were under the impression there were still four top ten athletes committed to play; however, by the event week, only two remained. Our ongoing strategy involves attracting players who show promise of significant growth in their careers over the coming years, reminiscent of legends like Boris Becker and Jim Courier.
Is it your goal to maintain the tradition of having every world number one, since 1974, participate in Basel?
We are certainly making efforts to secure Jannik Sinner for Basel. However, it must be noted that he stands apart from giants like Connors, Borg, Becker, Sampras, or Federer. Hence, while we will strive for his participation, we won’t feel disheartened if he ultimately does not appear at the St. Jakobshalle.
Will Stan Wawrinka compete in Basel next year?
In my last conversation with Wawrinka, he expressed a desire to continue playing for another two years. However, he has since decided to gauge his situation in the spring. While I cannot comment on his specific plans, it remains uncertain for now. Nevertheless, I certainly hope to see him continue to grace our tournament in the future.
