Tennis legend Roger Federer on Tuesday announced that he won’t be participating in the Tokyo Olympics. Federer tweeted that he has suffered a ‘setback’ in his recovery from a knee injury and thus has to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics.
“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 said in a Twitter post
“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 for the team from afar,” he added.
Knee injury
In the last week, Federer was beaten at Wimbledon in the quarterfinals by Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0. The 39-year-old has suffered a lot of knee injuries in the last 2 years. In fact, in 2020, Federer had two knee surgeries. He even had to withdraw from the French Open to save himself for Wimbledon.
Olympics achivements
Roger Federer lost to American James Blake in the quarterfinals of 2008. But eventually won a gold medal alongside Stan Wawrinka in doubles at the Beijing Olympics. He also won a silver in singles at the 2012 London Olympics. Roger has to sit out the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games because of a knee injury.
Many Tennis legends have already pulled out of Tokyo Olympics. Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Denis Shapovalov, Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andreescu, and Serena Williams are among the players who will not take part in this year’s Olympic games.