Federer casts doubt over Olympics
After moving through to the quarter-finals with an almost effortless 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 victory over 15th seed David Goffin, Roger Federer expressed uncertainty about whether he will compete at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
Federer has been imperious here in the past two rounds, dropping only five games against Dan Evans on Friday and then four yesterday. But he remained cagey about his scheduling – even though he has confirmed that he will play the ATP event in Tokyo next month.
“It’s still a year away,” Federer said. “The time is slowly coming around for me, in my mind, my team, my family, to find out what’s the best schedule after Wimbledon next year.
“As I don’t know if I will be playing, I don’t know the requirements,” added Federer, in reference to the fact that a certain number of Davis Cup appearances are required before a player has automatic access to the Games.
Even so, it is hard to imagine the International Tennis Federation would block the world’s most popular player from competing.
“The Olympics have always been very memorable,” Federer said. “Either with carrying the flag, meeting my wife in 2000, winning gold.
“Naturally it’s always going to be a possibility for me to play Tokyo if there is an exemption. I don’t know if I’m actually going to do it or not because it all depends on family, on scheduling, on body, on future.”
Federer will play Grigor Dimitrov, a former client of his management stable Team 8, in the quarter-finals after Dimitrov – who used to be known as “Baby Fed” – overcame Australia’s Alex de Minaur in straight sets.