In a heartbreaking news for tennis fans, World No. 3 and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he would not be able to take part in next month’s Rio Olympics 2016 and will also be out for the rest of the season.
“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 34-year-old wrote.
2016 has unfortunately been an injury-plagued season for the former World No. 1. The legend underwent a knee injury due to a fall in Australia back in February that forced him out of action for nearly one-and-half months. His return at the Miami Masters was postponed due to a viral infection and he made his comeback on clay in Monte Carlo.
Hobbled by his troublesome back, Federer’s activity on the Tour was limited even on clay and it ultimately saw him withdrawing from the French Open – his first pull out from a Major since 1999.
Things looked promising for the tennis icon on grass when he made it to the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships. But the seven-time champion suffered a fall during his last-four encounter against eventual runner-up Milos Raonic in the fifth set.
It is not very clear whether Federer’s decision is a major repercussion of it but the 2008 Olympic doubles gold medallist has said that doctors have advised him for extensive rehabilitation on the knee if he wants to extend his playing career.
“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. The doctors advised that if I want to play on the ATP World Tour injury free for another few years, as I intend to do, I must give both my knee and body the proper time to fully recover.”
This recent development will deprive his legion of fans from seeing him pair up with the doubles World No. 1 Martina Hingis that was supposed to be one of the most-awaited mixed doubles teams at Rio.
Here is what Federer wrote on Facebook:
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