Deal with Infront Ringier snubs Federer

The deal announced Friday amounts to a rejection of Federer's agency and his manager Tony Godsick (Team 8), the Sunday newspaper said in its current edition. Both had offered a hand for cooperation until the very end. The tennis star's willingness to commit to the tournament in Basel in the long term was always there. Since Federer even expressed a possible interest in buying the tournament in 2010, the relationship between Brennwald and his undisputed crowd favorite has soured. Brennwald is said to have perceived the statement as a threat to his life's work. Since 2013, Federer has even been competing without a contract, commitments or inaugural gift and enrolls like all other players - for the sake of the public, as he repeatedly emphasizes. According to the latest developments, this is unlikely to change. Federer, in fact, sees "no reason to seek talks" about a new contract, according to Sonntagszeitung. "It is what it is."

The sports marketing agency Infront Ringier was primarily tasked with finding a new title sponsor or other financially strong partners. Since Davidoff was forced to pull out under public pressure in 2010 due to activities in the tobacco industry, the financial situation of the tournament has been going downhill. In 2014, Federer's sponsor Rolex also pulled out despite a continuing contract. 

On Friday, Ringier CEO Marc Walder and Chairman of the Board Michael Ringier still emphasized the importance of a good understanding with Federer in the search for new partners. Walder wanted to personally seek the conversation. However, the extent of Federer's willingness for future negotiations is still up in the air. (hae/SoZ)

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