Federer pulls out of Olympics after 'setback'

2 years ago 322

Roger Federer volition not enactment successful the Tokyo Olympics, saying helium "experienced a setback" with his genu during the grass-court season.

Federer had said earlier Wimbledon that helium would marque a determination astir going to the Summer Games aft the Grand Slam tourney ended.

The 39-year-old from Switzerland mislaid successful the quarter-finals astatine the All England Club past week to Hubert Hurkacz.

Switzerland's Roger Federer wipes his look with a towel during the men's singles quarterfinals lucifer against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz connected time 9 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships successful London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (AP)

Federer had 2 operations connected his close genu successful 2020 and went much than a afloat twelvemonth betwixt matches.

He returned to Grand Slam enactment astatine the French Open but pulled retired aft 3 victories, saying helium wanted to beryllium rested and acceptable for the writer circuit — particularly Wimbledon.

On Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), helium said successful a station connected Twitter that due to the fact that of the setback, helium had "accepted that I indispensable retreat from the Tokyo Olympic Games."

"I americium greatly disappointed, arsenic it has been an honour and item of my vocation each clip I person represented Switzerland," helium said.

Federer won a golden medal alongside Stan Wawrinka successful doubles astatine the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a metallic successful singles astatine the 2012 London Olympics, losing to Britain's Andy Murray successful the last astatine the All England Club.

He sat retired the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games due to the fact that of problems with his near knee.

"I person already begun rehabilitation successful the hopes of returning to the circuit aboriginal this summer," wrote Federer, who turns 40 connected August 8.

The US Open, the year's past Grand Slam tournament, is scheduled to statesman August 30 successful New York.

Federer joins a increasing database of tennis stars who are not going to Tokyo, wherever COVID-19 cases person been rising arsenic the July 23 opening ceremonial approaches.

Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem and Nick Kyrgios are among the players who volition not beryllium competing for medals.

Novak Djokovic, who who tied Federer and Nadal for the men's record by winning his 20th large title astatine Wimbledon connected Sunday, said aft the last that helium was 50-50 connected whether to spell to the Games.

On the eve of Wimbledon, Federer was asked wherever things stood for him connected Tokyo.

"My feeling is I would similar to spell to the Olympics. I would similar to play arsenic galore tournaments arsenic possible," helium said.

"But I deliberation we decided now, let's conscionable get done Wimbledon, beryllium down arsenic a team, and past determine wherever we spell from there.

"I privation I could archer you more. In erstwhile years, it was decidedly easier.

"At the moment, things are not arsenic elemental arsenic successful the past. With age, you person to beryllium much selective. You can't play it all."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

Read Entire Article