Roger Federer
34-year-old Roger Federer is the veritable GOAT, as many often repeat. Despite having struggled with injury this year, the Swiss legend put up a mammoth fight to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon – where he is a seven-time champion – this year, and even looked like one of the top contenders for the title.
Federer came out victorious in a spirited five-set battle against Croat ace Marin Cilic, but taking a big spill midway through that match, the Swiss looked uneasy afterwards despite the eventual victory.
After the match, he would go on to say that the fall was “unlike any other fall I have had,” prompting many to wonder if this was finally proof that age had caught up with a man many have grown up watching and in many cases, perhaps worshipping.
Federer’s last Olympic gold came at the Beijing Games in 2008, when he took doubles gold with compatriot and two-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who has himself not been in optimal form this year.
The Swiss Maestro won silver at London 2012, stopped in his tracks by the mammoth form of Andy Murray. Given that the Scot has been in even better form this year – winning his third Grand Slam title, it does not seem very likely that an unrested Federer will be able to stop the 29-year-old’s juggernaut.
Federer has had slow recoveries from injury this year – and at 34, having never won Olympic singles gold, this could perhaps be Federer’s last ever chance at singles gold. After being thoroughly taxed by both Marin CIlic and eventual finalist Milos Raonic this year, Federer’s back-to-back long battles will no doubt have taken their toll on him. It is unlikely that Federer will still be playing professional tennis in four years’ time, making this final chance for Olympic glory, and one he will want to be in optimal shape for.
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