Roger Federer’s distressing announcement
Roger Federer has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after a major “setback” in his knee injury recovery.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was beaten by Hubert Hurkacz during Wimbledon in the quarter-finals last week.
Last year however, the 39-year-old underwent two surgeries on his right knee.
He has been training to win an Olympic singles gold medal, but now it looks like the star might have to wait another four years.
The global pandemic delayed the 2020 Olympic Games by a year, and while it will still go ahead – it will largely be held behind closed doors.
Strict health restrictions will also be in place.
The Olympic singles title is the only major tournament Federer is yet to win.
The tennis star lost during the semi-finals in 2000, in Sydney.
In 2012, he would go on to be beaten by Andy Murray in London, just weeks after dominating the Brit on the same Centre Court in the Wimbledon final.
Federer did however win doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka in Beijing 13 years ago.
The star’s loss to Hurkacz was only his 14th defeat at Wimbledon in over 119 matches.
It is also the first time he has been beaten in the tournament in straight sets since 2002.
Additionally, it was Federer’s first time he’s lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon, and just the third time at a Slam.
“With everything that comes after Wimbledon, we were always going to sit down and talk about it because clearly now Wimbledon is over,” Federer announced.
“I got to take a few days. Just see, OK, what do I need to do to get in better shape so I can be more competitive.”
He slipped to ninth in the ATP rankings after Wimbledon, which is his lowest position since March 2017.