Tennis hammer is looming
Will the Swiss Indoors take place in Zurich in the future?
The largest tennis tournament in Switzerland could soon be given a new coat of paint. The organizers of the Swiss Indoors are considering a change of location. Basel is in danger of losing the Swiss sporting event with the highest turnover.
Published: 11:49 am
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Updated: 26 minutes ago
The Swiss Indoors in Zurich, Bern or Geneva? Somehow unimaginable, but possibly soon a fact. According to the “NZZ”, the organizers of the tennis tournament, which has been firmly anchored in the city of Basel since 1970, are looking for alternatives.
Once again it is the question of costs that gives reason to rethink. The rent, the temporary conversion and the accompanying costs burden the budget of around 20 million francs a year with a seven-digit sum, even after the renovation of the arena five years ago.
Brennwald keeps a low profile
Tournament founder and director Roger Brennwald is careful not to say a word about the general economic conditions: “I can’t and don’t want to say more about the matter at the moment.”
Simon Thiriet, head of communications for the city of Basel, speaks in favor of this: “The Swiss Indoors are very important for the region. We support the tournament as a canton, among other things, with advantageous rental conditions and with a marketing commitment decided by the Grand Council.»
People in Zurich are “interested”
However, the original Basel Brennwald is not completely satisfied with this. The contact to the ZSC Lions is established. This year’s playoff finalist will move into the newly built Swiss Life Arena in Altstetten next October.
CEO Peter Zahner confirms the exchange: “Of course we would be interested in hosting an event like the Swiss Indoors in our new arena. But the talks so far have been purely informal.” However, the business economist says meaningfully that the stadium should also be used for activities other than ice hockey.
Only one thing is for sure…
For the tennis circus it would be a return to the largest city in Switzerland. A WTA tournament took place in Zurich between 1984 and 2008. First this took place in the Saalsporthalle, then in the Schluefweg in Kloten and later in the Hallenstadion.
«We used to operate with five-year plans, today we live from year to year. It is right that we are rethinking the location issue. But it is still too early to say anything about it. The only thing that is certain at the moment is that the next event will take place in October in the St. Jakobs Halle,” Brennwald clarifies.
Roger Federer has announced himself for the coming autumn, who will be the figurehead alongside the Spanish shooting star Carlos Alcaraz. For the last time on home soil? (nab)
