Novak Djokovic is preparing to compete in the Basel Open for the first time since 2011. The Serbian superstar has received a challenging draw in the Swiss city as he competes for an ATP Finals spot alongside players such as Rafael Jodar and Frances Tiafoe.
Previous Encounter at Wimbledon
The 24-time major champion and Olympic gold medallist will face Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the opening round. Humbert, ranked world number 38, is regarded as one of the strongest indoor hard-court players on the ATP Tour. The pair have previously faced each other only once, in the fourth round of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.
At the time, Djokovic was pursuing his second consecutive Wimbledon title, while a 21-year-old Humbert was just beginning his career. To reach the last 16 that year, Djokovic defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber, Denis Kudla, and Hubert Hurkacz, whereas Humbert overcame Gael Monfils, Marcel Granollers, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Djokovic secured a straight-sets victory in their fourth-round match, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Reflecting on the match after speaking to the BBC, as reported by Tennis Majors, Djokovic stated, “I had never played Ugo but saw him play and he’s won against a couple of great players.” He added, “I was able to study his game, but he probably wasn’t at his best. I’m pleased to execute the job in three sets.”
Djokovic went on to claim his fifth Wimbledon title that year by saving two championship points against Roger Federer on Centre Court, ultimately prevailing 7–6, 1–6, 7–6, 4–6, 13–12.
Potential Basel Open Path
Should Djokovic get past Humbert in the first round in Basel, he will face either Yannick Hanfmann or Jan-Lennard Struff. Struff reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in June and recently made it to the Brussels Open final before falling to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
If Djokovic progresses even further in the tournament, he is likely to encounter ninth seed and former world number two Casper Ruud. Djokovic holds a 5-1 head-to-head record against Ruud on the ATP Tour, though his sole defeat against the Norwegian took place in their most recent meeting at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. Ruud won that semi-final encounter 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 before finishing as runner-up to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
