Tjis is surprising, I always thought the swiss were the cleanest about everything! I agree, tobacco has no place in sport! its obsurd!

but.... what about the other questionable products endorsed by players?
Are they all purely healthful? Do they have sugars or preservatives or are they made from animals sacrificed just to provide the product? Environmentalist could argue a whole host of issues from leather (from cows, cat gut I assume from cats,) ... not that I love being around nicotine smoke.... but just posing another question...

This is an interesting dilemma for Roger. I googled the Davidoff company for news and found this link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2009/oct/25/roger-federer-tobacco-ten nis-swiss

In essence, the European Union states have all banned tobacco advertising, but Switzerland isn't an EU member. There must be a burning rage nowadays against the company similar to the decades-ago rage against tobacco here in the U.S. that resulted in our country's total TV ban on the ads. Having been a teenager when cigarettes were portrayed as cool in television and movies, I smoked tons, too. Killing the ads and banning the stuff in workplaces/restaurants really killed the sales of cigarette in the U.S.

...Pondering all this, I say Rog should give Basel the thanks-anyway pass.

BS. Play on Fed. It's not like he's gonna be running around the court smoking or puffing during the trophy presentation. People have to be smart and decide not to smoke on their own.

Vitality - catgut isn't made from cats, but yes I see your point.

It IS a dilemma. On one hand, its seems....wrong somehow to have a cigarette company supporting a professional sporting event. It would be like Godiva chocolates being the proud sponsor of Weight Watchers. Just doesn't make sense. On the other hand, why should Roger miss his HOME tournament because the tournament directors picked a lousy sponsor?

Amen cherylmurray, if Fed pulls out of his most treasured home tournament it would let a lot of fans down, most notably his own countrymen. This is tennis, I don't agree with tobacco advertising or endorsements, but lets not forget what the event is, its not a tobacco marketing campaign, its an ATP 500 event and in Roger's home country. People need to think bigger and be more open minded, we're a little tunnel visioned I feel.

delpo canceled basel, cilic is awarded the 2nd wild card.

Yes. DelPo is still struggling with a wrist injury.

Valid points made by Cheryl, Vitality and eelesino. I can see why people think Federer should pull out to make a stand but then again he doesn't control the sponsors for Basel. Not like he asked for Davidoff to be a sponsor *shrugs*. And it IS his home tourney so if he pulls out, massive lots of people are going to be disappointed!

So Delpo's out...but the Nole challenge remains!

well ,Roger doesn't smoke himself and is not personally advertising for the company.
it is a dilemma but I 'm not surprised that he wants to play..it's the tournament where he used to be a ball kid,and is "very close to his heart".
btw,is the arena named after him from this year?
if it is ,that would have been a BIG disappointment for his swiss fans if he didn't play!

Hello Federites !!

The FedExpress not playing in Basel is almost unthinkable . I can understand the push from health officials and i comprehend why the FedExpress has been targeted ....but we need to look at it both ways.
This tournament is very special to him and its not like there is another Swiss tourney he can participate in . The whole country is waiting for their hero to take center court . Fed will not skip this event . He will however make clear that he is against smoking ...and i think the fact that no one in the ATP ( to my knowledge) smokes ....speaks heaps about where athletes stands with regards to this matter .

I cant wait for Fed to start playing !!!

C'MON !!

To go with the prize money, they'll be giving the winner a year's supply of cigarettes, just like Mercedes gives the winner a car.

Decisions,decisions? federer is caught between a rock and a hard place.Either choice he makes will not look good.I believe that he wants to support both the tournament and support the not smoking ban but....

Do any of you long-timers remember when Virginia Slims (women's cigarette brand in the US) was the LEAD sponsor of the WTA?

Federer should play...he signed up for this tourny months ago.....its not his fault that the organisers chose the cig company.....its ridiculous that they should even have been a sponsor.....federer cannot be responsible for the whole worlds decisions!

Fedex..i agree....

Yes Cheryl,that was when people smoked.:)

I remember here in Canada 'DuMaurier' ( a ciggy co.) was a big sponsor for both the Arts and Sports world. It takes a while for tournaments, and theatres, conservatories etc. to find new sponsors.
Here in this Country tobacco use is very close to being criminalized ... there are no indoor and very few outdoor public spaces where one can smoke ... So new sponsors have been found. No one wants to be associated with tobacco use ... then again the tobacco companies don't have the same kind of cash to throw around.
Should Roger refuse to play ... that's silly ... not at this late date.
Should the tournament find a new sponsor? Oh yeah.

LOL Cheryl, yes I do remember Virginia Slims :). In these economic times, getting sponsors and butts in the seats is a priority IMO.

I can't imagine Roger not playing in his own Country, especially when he has already committed himself to the tournament. Being a Roger Federer Fan I'm for Roger going for it! People decide on there own what they put in their mouthe. Roger is not condoning cigarette smoking. It is unfortunate that some people feel the need to smoke... People need to take responsibility for their lives. Rogers' job is to entertain (by winning and competing in tennis), and thereby help make people you enjoy watching him play happy. Roger Federer has gone a long way in showing his love, and concern in various World situations. He has, and continues to help financially and otherwise. Go for it Roger! and Win! Win! Win! :) You will not/cannot save the world on your own...

Hi sky! yes...your comments are so true...and i agree absolutely......he is a tennis player....first and foremost.........
sky...where have you been!!!???

Hi Malty! Always a pleasure to hear your voice/insight/knowledge, opinion etc... around here. I'm glad you understood the above post of mine. For clarity it should have read ...thereby help make people (who enjoy watching him play tennis) happy! LOL I don't feel inspired to comment when Roger has not been playing (usually) therefore I found something else to do in the meantime. But Roger is BACK! which makes tennis interesting for me again... (Thanks Roger) :) Salutations to you to Malty! Go Roger go!!!! :)

I wanted to weigh in on this issue. I think Fed should play in his hometown tournament. He is not responsible for who sponsors a tournament. It would be incredibly unfair to him and his fans if he should be pressured to withdraw. I think this is an unfortunate situation. Fed should not be put between a rock and a hard place. This tournament is understandably important to him. I say he should definitely play.

hey malt. don't you think this is exactly when chris crocker restarts his crying rant?
"LEAVE ROGER FEDERER ALONE" !!!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/273562-chris-crockers-speaks-u p-leave-roger-alone-humor

It doesn't makes any sense to ask Roger to quit the tournament and the tournament going on full guns,to show the protest against the tobacco company, If they really want to protest,then they should try stop the tournament fully and attract world attention, instead of hampering Rogers presence in his home turf, especially when he is so rarely available these days for playing,except during the grand slams.

Cheryl,

I know I am dating myself, but yes I do remember when Virginia Slims were the lead sponsors of the WTA. My, how times have changed!

For the better, I might add.

dating yourself? that could be drastically misinterpreted like i just did until i realized what you meant :P

why is everyone picking on fed? because it's his hometown? is he playing against himself for the entire tournament?

homos..
of course they would target Roger. because he is supposed to be a role model and he is considered the ambassador for the sport,so the health officials probably think ,he as an icon should show he does not support smoking,or the sponsership of this company...they also think his withdrawal is probably a big failure for the tournament and the sponser.
but they are unfair IMO! Roger does not smoke...that's enough for his role...!