Roger Federer pulls out of Tokyo Olympics

Roger Federer’s comeback season has suffered yet another jolt, with the Swiss Maestro announcing his decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic games, due to an injury “setback” that he suffered at this year’s Wimbledon.

Federer released the following statement on Twitter:

"“During the grass court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee, and have accepted that I must withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games. I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honor and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland. I have already begun rehabilitation in the hopes of returning to the tour later this summer. I wish the entire Swiss team the best of luck and I will be rooting hard from afar.”"

Federer has previously won gold in men’s doubles at Beijing Olympics in 2008, alongside Stan Wawrinka, who has been battling his own set of injuries since 2017 and is currently sidelined from tennis action, due to surgery for a left foot injury. Federer also has a silver medal to show, for his runner-up effort at London Olympics in 2012, where he was beaten by fellow “Big Four” member, Andy Murray, in an epic final on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Federer was previously forced to miss the Rio Olympics in 2016, due to his first round of knee troubles, which was caused by running a bath for his twin daughters.

Federer’s current knee injury, perhaps explains the one-sided nature of his Wimbledon quarterfinals loss to Hubert Hurkacz, where he seemed quite inhibited in his movement throughout the match and played at a noticeably lower level, as compared to his previous three rounds.

This announcement also casts doubts over Federer’s participation for the remainder of season. Although Federer hopes to return to the tour later this summer, things are far from certain at his age.

Federer, with his withdrawal, has now joined a growing list of players, that have decided against going to this year’s Games. The other big names that are going to be missing from this year’s Olympics, include, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem, Denis Shapovalov, Nick Kyrgios, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin, among several others.

Novak Djokovic, who entered history books this past weekend, by winning his 20th Grand Slam title and thus leveling with his great rivals, Federer and Nadal, has also cast doubts over his participation at this year’s Olympics, saying he was 50-50 on whether to go to the Games.