Nadal to Compete at the Swiss Indoors Tournament After Nine-Year Absence

Rafael Nadal is returning to competitive play in Switzerland after a long hiatus…

The 26-year-old Spanish tennis superstar, who won his eighth Barcelona Open title last month, is scheduled to play at Roger Federer‘s hometown tournament for the first time in nine years.

Rafael Nadal

Organizers of the Swiss Indoors announced their star attractions for the October 19-27 event in Basel. The field is headed by five-time champion Federer, Nadal and defending champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Nadal last played in Basel in 2004, losing in the first round to Rainer Schuettler of Germany.

The Spaniard also lost early to compatriot Feliciano Lopez in 2003, the only year he and Federer both played at Basel.

The Swiss Indoors, played on carpet then, is now a hard-court tournament.

Nadal has a 19-10 career record against Federer, including a quarterfinal win last month at Indian Wells.