The 2009 Davidoff Swiss Indoors elicited some very warm praise from the media – in this case the print media, which responded well to the Basel tournament’s sporting action and excitement as well as its new status as a premier event in the 500 series of the ATP World Tour.
"L’Equipe", Paris: “Roger Federer, a 3-time title winner, was unable to raise his game enough to cope with Novak Djokovic. Apart from the Swiss player’s lacklustre start in the third set (double break for Djokovic), the tenth game of the first set, with its 28 points played, was a key factor in the match. Federer had to give up his serve despite having five game points at 5:5. After that, the Serb did not let his opponent have a chance to take control of the match.”
"Smash" magazine, Switzerland: “Perfect tennis-tainment in Basel. Almost everywhere else, all eyes are usually just locked on the tennis ball, but not so in Basel. Those in charge of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors can look back at a fantastic week of tennis after their 40th tournament. The prestigious final match between the world’s best player, Roger Federer, and the man ranked #3 in the ATP world rankings was the high point of an action-packed sporting tournament week. The tournament’s membership in the 500 series meant that, for the first time, its enterprising organizers were able to benefit from global TV coverage. The good reputation of Switzerland’s blue ribbon event and the name of Basel were therefore broadcast all over the world and at the same time made into the best advertisement for Switzerland.”
"Tages-Anzeiger", Zurich: “Bad for Federer, good for Basel. As much as the outcome was an unpleasant result for the local tennis star, it was just as much a positive result for the tournament. The spectacular final match and its surprising outcome ensured that the tennis world had its eyes on Basel and not on Valencia, where a rival tournament in the same category was being played. The final result shows that Federer can still be beaten in Basel. And it ensures that the elation will be all the greater should he become a record winner some day with a fourth title at his home tournament.”
"Reuters", London: “Federer, who had not previously dropped a set or lost a service game in the tournament, had his serve broken four times as he lost a final for the third time this year following defeats at the Australian Open and U.S. Open. The final match featured an extraordinary tenth game in the first set before the Serb wrapped up the set at the seventh attempt.”
“Le Matin”, Lausanne: “Federer handed his opponent the keys to his house. Novak Djokovic, who, in his own estimation, produced one of the best matches of his season in the final, put an end to the invincibility of the world #1 in front of his home crowd. For once, Federer appeared to be relatively uninspired and naturally succumbed to a very strong Djokovic. With his success in Basel, the Serb became the fifth professional player this season to win a title after defending match points, including three in the semi-final against Stepanek.”
“Berner Zeitung”, Bern: “Non-stop. The Basel tournament has survived its baptism of fire as a 500 series event. The dream final between the world #1 and #3, the surprise guest appearance of former ballboy Marco Chiudinelli in the semi-final, numerous enthralling matches of the highest quality, with a record 71,600 spectators: no wonder that Roger Brennwald, tournament director and founder of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors, speaks about a fantastic end result.” And as for Federer, the Berner Zeitung writes: “Despite his best intentions, this was, for once, no path to victory. The mood swings of the spectators mirrored the fate of the Swiss tennis hero Roger Federer, who went through an emotional rollercoaster ride in the final and lost.”
