Joining generational rival Rafael Nadal, tennis legend Roger Federer has announced that he will not be participating at the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo after picking up an injury.
The Swiss ace took to social media to reveal the news on Tuesday afternoon.
Sharing a photo of himself during the opening ceremony at a previous appearance at the Games, Federer told all as part of the post’s caption.
“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,” Federer’s statement began.
“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. As always, Hopp Schwiz!” he concluded.
Federer has an Olympic silver medal to his name in the singles, having been beaten by home favorite Andy Murray in London in 2012, but four years earlier won gold alongside Stan Wawrinka in the men’s doubles in Beijing.
Congrats Novak on your 20th major. I’m proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!
As mentioned, Federer joins Nadal on the list of big stars who will not compete for gold in Tokyo, with the Spaniard pulling out of both Wimbledon and the Olympics last month “after listening to my body”.
Federer himself made it to SW19, but was knocked out in straight sets by world number 18 Hubert Hurkacz at the quarter-final stage.
Some suspected that “the mishits” and “awkward looking points” noticed by Boris Becker – as well as losing the last set 6-0 – might force his retirement.
But Federer was defiant when facing the media after.
BREAKINGRoger Federer loses final set 6-0 to crash out of #Wimbledon at the hands of world No 18 Hubert Hurkacz. pic.twitter.com/XFrXbcjecV
“No, it’s just about having perspective,” he told reporters.
“You need a goal when you’re going through rehab with what I did. You can’t think of the entire mountain to climb at once. You [have] to go in steps. Wimbledon was the initial first super step.
“For me, now that that’s over, you just [have] to reassess everything. You have got to sit down, talk about it, what went well, what didn’t go so well, where is the body, where is the knee, where is the mind?” Federer explained.
“I’ve just got to talk to the team, take my time, not feel rushed by you guys [the media] or anybody else, for that matter. I’ve got to take my time, take the right decision, the one decision I want to take and where I feel most comfortable.
“That’s where it leaves me. But, no, I hope not, that [retirement] that’s going to happen. The goal is to play, of course.”
Federer says retirement is not imminent in immediate future: #Wimbledon was my first mountain to climb, now we have to talk about everything with the team and not feel rushed with making a decision. Goal is to play, I hope (retirement) doesn’t happen.
Congrats Novak on your 20th major. I’m proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!
Federer’s exit paved the way for Novak Djokovic to win the London-held tournament for the sixth time and level him and Nadal on 20 Grand Slam triumphs.
And while the 39-year-old was a good sport in congratulating the Serbian on his milestone, he obviously plans on returning for the US Open if possible to prevent being potentially overtaken in the greatest of all time conversation.
Winning only the doubles gold in 2008, Federer, due to his age, looks likely to finish a glittering career without the same achievement in the men’s singles.
