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# ATP Basel 500 Draw and Preview: Can Djokovic make a surge to Turin qualification?
- URL: https://deep-dive-tennis.ghost.io/atp-basel-500-draw-and-preview-can-djokovic-make-a-surge-to-turin-qualification/
- Published: 2026-10-26T06:32:35.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T17:55:59.000Z
- Author: Jake Davies
- Tags: ATP Basel, Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Arthur Fils, Taylor Fritz, Tennis, Mens tennis, Turin, Switzerland, Stricker, ATP, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Fritz

Now the tennis world looks towards two of the bigger events during the indoor swing, but they are not just important due to the 500 ranking points at stake for the champion. They are also significant due to how it can help in the race towards qualification for Turin next month. In this piece I will dissect the ATP 500 event in **Basel, Switzerland** and talk through some of seeds and the stories that we need to look out for throughout a potentially exceptional week of great tennis.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/97/03972069-b7c9-4016-8fed-44898721e372/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-26-at-06.14.48.png)

The ATP Basel 500 singles main draw 

**Notable seeds:**

**Novak Djokovic \[4\] \[WC\]**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/97/03972069-b7c9-4016-8fed-44898721e372/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-25-at-09.22.38.png)

Novak Djokovic needs a big week in Basel for his Turin hopes.

Perhaps it makes most sense to start with the 24-time Grand Slam champion **Novak Djokovic** when it comes to the contenders in this Basel draw. Djokovic has recently found himself slide outside of the Top-10 which marks the first time this has happened since all the way back in 2018, but the Tokyo title win recently suggests he has his sights set on another appearance at the showpiece ATP Finals event in Turin. There would be no other reason or motivation for Djokovic to continue to play this week in my opinion, especially for someone who usually has a sparse schedule at best.

With there being motivation and a direct target in mind for Djokovic it will be intriguing to see whether his tennis is in a good place too. The early exit to Hurkacz in the Shanghai Masters is not a bad thing as it allows him to restore his fuel tank for this indoor period with his body in peak condition. Djokovic opens against **Ugo Humbert** then potentially **Jan-Lennard Struff**, who is coming off a final run in Brussels.

**Taylor Fritz \[6\] and Arthur Fils \[2\]**

When it comes to notable seeds both **Taylor Fritz** and **Arthur Fils** need to be given a mention due to the enormity of getting it right this week with Turin on the horizon. Neither have secured their guaranteed qualification yet which means every match matters hugely. Fritz managed to make the final in Lyon, which was an excellent week for him to build points. While Fils lost a nail biter to Struff in the Brussels semis as the No.1 seed, losing out in a 3rd set tiebreak.

Fils opens up against the rhythm-busting big-serving **Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard** who won a few matches in qualifying. This will be a repeat of the French Open Juniors semi-final of 2021 between the two. Fritz gets lucky loser **Rinky Hijikata** which should be a great way of easing himself into a new tournament week.

**Rafael Jodar \[3\]**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/97/03972069-b7c9-4016-8fed-44898721e372/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-26-at-06.27.16.png)

The last notable seed is **Rafael Jodar**. The Spaniard has catapulted up the rankings in his first season on the main tour. He started the year at No.165 in the world and is now No.11 in the world. Having just reached his first final at Masters 1000 level in Shanghai his confidence naturally will be sky high. But the question is where is the physical aspect as he was nursing a groin issue in both the semi-final and final.

I like Jodar's Basel draw and I think he can make some real ground in terms of racking up points. He starts with Chile's **Alejandro Tabilo**, then potentially Mariano Navone or **Valentin Vacherot** then he could have a quarter-final match against the big-serving **Hubi Hurkacz**.

**Stories of the week**

Other than the intrigue around who will prevail in the best-placed position for Turin amongst the aforementioned above, I feel that the wildcard entries are a talking point this tournament.

**Dominic Stricker** is one of those Swiss wildcards. There was a lot of hope for Stricker when he came onto the scene as a youngster, but persistent injuries have stalled his career enormously. Fortunately this year has been his first full year on tour since 2023, so there are signs of encouragement. With 40 victories to his name this season and his first Challenger level title for three years, a lot of the big names would rather avoid him. He collides with No.9 seed Casper Ruud in his first round. Stricker actually has a win to his name versus the Norwegian when they met at this event back in 2023.

**Stanislas Wawrinka** is obviously another prominent wildcard choice as he is shortly going to bid farewell to the sport this week. It will be an emotional final tournament for him in Basel. His first round opponent is Czechia's **Jiri Lehecka**, which will be a challenging first rounder for Stan to navigate through.

My favourite first round match of the week: Ruud versus Stricker