Published 21:06 IST, October 14th 2019
Roger Federer announces decision to play in Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Roger Federer on Monday said that he will be playing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Federer will return to the Olympics after missing out in 2016 because of injury
Roger Federer on Monday said that he will be competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Olympic Gold medal is the only major honour that is missing for the tennis legend. Federer came close to winning the medal in the 2012 London Olympics, buit he lost in the final match against Britain's Andy Murray.
Have been debating for a long time
Federer announced the decision after an exhibition match against John Isner in Tokyo. “I've been debating with my team for a few weeks now, months actually, what I should do in the summertime (of 2020) after Wimbledon and before the US Open. I carried the flag twice for Switzerland in Athens and Beijing, I’ve got a gold and a silver, and I would love to play again so I’m very excited.” The 2020 Games will be Federer's fifth appearance at the Olympics, having represented Switzerland in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. Federer did not compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio because of an injury. He has a Bronze medal and a Silver medal to his name.
The men's singles gold-medal match in Tokyo is scheduled for August 2, four weeks before the US Open starts in New York.
Innumerable records to his name
Federer has 20 Grand Slam titles to his name. He has 8 Wimbledon titles and holds the record for most Wimbledon Championships won. Federer is tied for the most US Open titles with Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras at five. He also has 102 Career Singles Titles, which is the 2nd most in the Open Era just behind Jimmy Connors (who has 109 titles) and just ahead of Ivan Lendl (who has 94 titles). Federer has also been awarded the Laureus Sports Award and named World Sportsman of the Year four times, 2005-2008.
The Swiss great has not shown any signs of retiring from the game and has proven time and again that age is just a number that athletes are subjected to. On multiple occasions, Federer has turned around all opinions and thoughts that he would not be able to continue playing the game at the very top level. However, his work ethics and fitness have helped him have a fantastic career and firmly establish himself as the greatest athlete of tennis and for some people, one of the greatest ever athlete. Along with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he is a part of the 'Big Three' that have been dominating tennis since the turn of the Century.
Updated 22:02 IST, October 14th 2019