Tennis great Roger Federer continues to rank several signatures short for having Basel’s main sports arena named after him. Basel (Switzerland) is the 20 Grand Slams titleholder’s hometown.
The reason for the ongoing failure of the push to rename the St. Jakobshalle in Basel after the tennis great – a push that’s been gaining momentum ever since 2012 – may however have more to do with tradition than with regard. Switzerland has only ever renamed streets, squares, arenas, etc. after a public figure’s death – or in other words, posthumously. This notwithstanding, the renaming advocates pushing for a Federer-honouring say they firmly believe such a move would have a positive impact not only on Basel as a city, but on tourism and the status of tennis as a sport in general, and countrywide.
Fears for safety and the possibility of infection haven’t helped the cause either, with Thursday’s initiative falling a significant 1,800 figures short of the required 3,000 for the staging of a local public vote.
Federer, 39, initially from Basel from having been born in the city, actually grew up living in the very suburb in which the famous hall is located. St. Jakobshalle each year hosts the annual Swiss Indoors men’s tennis tournament – an event Federer last year won for an incredible 10th time.
Opened in 1976, St. Jakobshalle has an attendance capacity totalling 12,400. The arena in 2018 saw a massive three year-long $150 million renovation and upgrade completed.
Roger Federer is currently the world number four in tennis.
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