Roger Federer’s decision to pull out of the Olympics because of a knee injury is a big blow for the Games. With Rio de Janeiro organisers already struggling to cope with a spate of high-profile withdrawals across several sports because of the Zika virus, the Swiss tennis maestro’s announcement on Tuesday must have caught them unawares.
Not that Federer can be blamed in any way because he made his decision on the advice of his doctors who say his knee needs “extensive rehabilitation” if he has to prolong his career which he is so keen to do, especially for the sake of his children. He has always insisted he wants his children to see him play the game at the highest level, something that keeps him fit and motivated at 34, an age when many tennis players have already called it quits or are contemplating retirement.
“I’m extremely disappointed to announce that I will not be able to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Rio and that I will also miss the remainder of the season,” the 17-times grand slam champion said on his Facebook page.
“Considering all options after consulting with my doctors and my team, I have made the very difficult decision to call an end to my 2016 season as I need more extensive rehabilitation following my knee surgery earlier this year.”
Federer, arguably the greatest player of all time, is always the crowd favourite around the world. With millions of adoring fans following his every move, he has gone the extra mile to live up to their expectations, on the court as well as off it.
Indeed, towards this end he makes it a point to mingle with fans whenever he can, hardly ever refusing an autograph. On a few occasions, he has even reached out to young fans suffering from life-threatening illness, bringing a smile to their faces.
One of the fittest players ever to play the game, Federer didn’t hurt his knee during a match or while training. The man known for his gliding footwork suffered the injury while running a bath for his twin daughters following his Australian Open semi-final loss, which resulted him going an entire season without a title for the first time since 2000.
Undoubtedly, his fans at the Olympics would be disappointed with his decision to pull out of the Games, but they would be also praying for him to get well soon. They would have wanted him to go one better at Rio and win the gold this time after being beaten by Britain’s Andy Murray in the 2012 final at the London Olympics.
For much of his career, the former world number one had been blessed with a body that seemed immune to the aches, pains and injuries suffered by most top athletes.
But yesterday’s announcement has also probably ended his hopes of ever winning an Olympic singles title.
His fans, though, would be hoping that he comes back with renewed vigour and makes up for his Olympic miss by winning a couple of majors next year.
With Federer, you never know.
Federer, arguably the greatest player of all time, is always the crowd favourite around the world
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