Federer withdraws from Tokyo Games after injury ‘setback’
Geneva, Switzerland - Swiss great Roger Federer announced on Tuesday he has withdrawn from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after a 'setback' in his recovery from a knee injury. The 20-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarterfinals by Hubert Hurkacz last week.
The 39-year-old Federer, who has never won an Olympic singles gold medal, underwent two surgeries on his right knee in 2020.
"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.
Federer, who turns 40 next month, said he was hoping to return to the ATP Tour later this summer. "I have already begun rehabilitation in the hopes of returning to the tour later this summer," he added.
Earlier, Canadian world No 5 Bianca Andreescu said she will skip the Tokyo Olympics, citing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The 21 year old 2019 US Open champion announced her decision in a statement on social media. "I would like to inform you that I have made the very difficult decision to not play in the Tokyo Olympics later this month," Andreescu said.
Andreescu joins several highprofile players who have already withdrawn from the Olympics.
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Dominic Thiem have all pulled out while others such as world No 1 Novak Djokovic are wavering. Newly crowned Wimbledon champion Djokovic said on Sunday he was '50/50' over playing in Tokyo, citing disappointment over the decision announced last week to bar spectators from the event.
Also on Tuesday, David Goffin, the Belgian No 1 who is 20th in the ATP rankings, said that he would not play at the Olympics because he has not recovered from an ankle injury.