Swiss Indoors Basel & Interview With Severin Lüthi

Switzerland is a small country and we're mainly famous for chocolate, cheese and our banks.

But that has changed. Over the last years a legend has grown - the biggest Tennis player in human history - Roger Federer.

We're super proud of Roger Federer, especially because we're a tiny country not very well known for sports. The Roger-mania has changed the image of our nation and turned it into a Tennis loving crowd.

And it's not simply because he is the best player. He is an example for many of us. 

I'm absolutely addicted to Tennis. Since Roger has started his career I keep following pretty much all of his matches. If you're a true fan, you're going through good times. better times, grandslam titles and you keep beleiving even if the whole media asks for Roger's retirement.

Basel is the biggest ATP tournament in Switzerland. Basel is organising it's Tennis tournament since 1970, for me it was the 10th time to see matches at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

I have started my week with the opening match between Rafael Nadal & Lukas Rosol.

The match delivered everything you'd expect. Rafa had a rather difficult season and that clearly showed evidence in this match. Rosol served extremely well and played with almost no unforced errors in the first set. These facts ended up in a 6:1 for Lukas Rosol - impressive.

The 2nd set started and not much changed. Rosol was dominating the games and Rafa struggled and shouted to the ball kids. The end of the 2nd set was the turning point of the whole show. Lukas Rosol had to serve for the match (!) which is mentally not that easy. Nadal managed to break him in this very important game. Nadal started to play much better in the 3rd set, leaving Rosol no chance to come back in the match.

That's the crazy fact about Nadal, he is so diffucult to beat. You have to always expect his comeback.

Tuesday was my big day - I was invited by Moët Hennessy to watch Roger's match against Mikhail Kukushkin. It was a very clear 6:1 / 6:2. What ever Roger tried, it worked. Very skilled and strong forehand, he almost hit his record with 168 km/h.

The match took only 54 minutes. The good news were that I had time to interview Severin Lüthi, the co-trainer of Roger Federer and head of the Davis Cup team. We had a lot of fun during the interview, a big honour to speak to him.

Interview with Severin Lüthi

Impressive match today, very strong performance of Roger especially the forehand. Are you happy with the result so far?

Absolutely. One the one hand we know how well he is playing since a long time, and on the other hand we keep being staggered about his level and progress. Great first round for him at Basel. We constantly improved his game and mental condition over the past.

Novak Djokovic isn't participating but he had an incredible season. Any plan to react on this? Especially at the US Open Federer played outstanding tennis, but Nole was still winning the finals

Indeed, a very stron season of Novak Djokovic. But as a tennis player and as a team you focus on your own game and you're working as hard as you can to get better every day, even with 34 years. We still beleive that Roger Federer can win more grand slam titles.

Do you know what emotions the fans are going through? Like getting up in the middle of the night, screaming and crying alone in front of the TV? Or organising Sunday tennis brunch with friends? Are you able to feel how much we suffer? (this is the part we had to laugh a lot)

Yeah, we love our fans and the crowd at the matches. It can make the difference. Even old people tell us that they're getting up in the night to see the matches, it's fascinating. It's a gift to have such a great tennis player for so many years. 

Last but not least... Describe a perfect gentleman.

Good manners are important. Opening doors is important for example. And I beleive that a gentleman is always respectful. Giving without taking back is the key to be a gentleman.

Great atmosphere, I'm very grateful for this interview and the supporting brands.

Gilles Simon (ATP 15) showed up at the Moët & Chandon event as well. He unfortunately won a couple of times against Roger :)

Basel, I will be back next year!

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