“We would have liked to have celebrated Roger’s years of success at our tournament, but understand that Roger needs more time,” said Roger Brennwald, Basel Open tournament director.
Instead of playing, Federer would have been honored at the event but that is not to happen now.
“I thank the Swiss-Indoors for their willingness to welcome me in Basel this year,” Federer said in a statement.
“I have been trying to process everything that’s happened recently. The celebration in Basel at home will have a very special meaning, and now is too soon for me following London.”
He is referring to the emotional send-off he had received when he played for the last at the Laver Cup.
Brennwald indicated that although it is not happening now, it could still likely happen in the future.
The Basel Open is being played for the first time since 2019. It was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions.
Back in April, Federer had announced that he was planning on playing at Basel. At that time, he also announced that he was interested in playing doubles with Rafael Nadal.
Federer won his first Basel Open title back in 2006. He was also a former ball boy at the Swiss tournament.
“I loved being a ball boy here,” Federer said in 2019. “I was able to see the best players in the world firsthand and see how they would prepare, how they would sweat, how they deal with the pressure. They’re good moments for me.”