The tennis community was eagerly waiting to see the game’s biggest names atTokyo 2020 five years after an exciting Olympic Games at Río de Janeiro. However, Roger Federer‘s withdrawal from the Summer Olympics meanta massive blow to those expectations.
Following his absence at Río 2016, everyone expected to see the Swiss legend back at the Olympics this time. The 39-year-old keeps on performing at the highest level, but he is not getting any younger, and it seems like he won’t have many more opportunities to return to this competition.
Tennis has arguably been the worst-hit sport at these Olympic Games, as Federer is just one of many more superstars to skip out on the ultimate sports event. Roger expected to play in Tokyo, though, but he suddenly stepped down from the competition.
Why won’t Roger Federer play in the Olympics?
Despite being one of the highest-profile figures expected to participate at the Olympics, Roger Federer announced he had to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 after suffering another knee issue during the grass court season.
“I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honor and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland.” he wrote on Twitter. These Olympic Gameswould have been the fifth in Federer’s career.
Thecurrent No. 9 of the ATP world ranking had his first Olympics appearance in Sidney 2000, and from then on, he continued to attendthese games consecutively until Río 2016, where he was also absent for a knee issue.
His best result came in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning the gold medal alongside Stan Wawrinka in doubles, while he also achieved the silver medal in singles in the 2012 London Olympics. Unfortunately, he will miss the Olympic Games for the second straight time. Will he return for the 2024 Olympics?