Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer announced his withdrawal from Tokyo Olympics due to a “setback” with his knee. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals last week.
“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 statement on social media.
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Dominic Thiem have all pulled out the upcoming games, overwhelmingly affected by the pandemic. Newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic put his chances of playing in Tokyo at “50/50”.
Federer, who turns 40 next month, pulled out of the French Open after reaching the fourth round, hoping to get fit for Wimbledon. There were rumours of his retirement after losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 to Poland’s Hurkacz in the Wimbledon.
The 2020 edition was delayed by a year and although it will go ahead, it will largely be held behind closed doors and with strict health restrictions in place.
