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Roger Federer latest to withdraw from Tokyo Olympics

‘During the grass-court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee’

Roger Federer has withdrawn from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after a “setback” with his recovery from a knee injury. File photograph: Getty Images

Wed Jul 14 2021 - 08:49

Roger Federer has withdrawn from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Runner-up to Andy Murray in the gold medal match at London 2012, Federer said on Twitter: "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.

“I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honour 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.”

Johanna Konta has also withdrawn, revealing she has been suffering with the after-effects of Covid-19 after a member of the British tennis star's team tested positive in the buildup to Wimbledon.

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While she was self-isolating, Konta has since tested positive for the virus. In a statement on social media, she said: “As a result, I have been unable to train for the last two and a half weeks and sadly, this has put my body in a situation where I am unable to ask it to be fully ready in time for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“This is a heart-breaking reality for me, as representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 is one of my most treasured memories from my career so far.

“I’ll be doing my best to get myself back to full health and fitness and ready to be competing again soon.”

Federer and Konta join a growing list of withdrawals from tennis events at the Tokyo Games, with the 2012 singles gold medallist Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem already announcing they will not travel to Japan.

Nick Kyrgios has also said he will not take part after exiting Wimbledon with an injury, adding that "playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn't sit right with me". Spectators have been barred from most Olympic events after a fourth Covid-related state of emergency was declared in Tokyo.

Federer's quest for a ninth Wimbledon singles title ended with a straight-sets defeat against Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals.

It was only the fifth tournament appearance in 17 months for Federer following two knee operations during 2020.

The 20-time grand slam champion, who will turn 40 in August, had pulled out of the French Open after winning his third-round match in Paris in order to rest his body for the grass. He has now given up on what is surely his last chance at a singles gold medal, having won doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Olympics.

Speaking after his defeat at SW19, Federer confirmed he would take some time before deciding on how best to move forward. “I’ve got to regroup. My goal was always for the last year and more to try to play another Wimbledon. I knew it was going to be really hard, to be honest. Now I’ve just got to talk to the team, take my time, not feel rushed – then take the right decision.” - Guardian

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