Summer 2020: Federer confirms participation in the Olympic Games in Tokyo

For years, there is speculation about an early retirement of Roger Federer. Now, at least, it's clear that the tennis star will stay in his sport for a while: In an interview on the occasion of a sponsorship event in Tokyo, the 38-year-old confirmed that he will participate in the Olympic Games in the Japanese capital in the summer of 2020.

"For weeks now, I have been discussing with my team what I should do next year between Wimbledon and the US Open, and at the end of the day, my heart once again decided to participate in the Olympics." said Federer.

Federer and Olympia - this is a very special story: In 2000 he took part as a then 19-year-old talent at the Sydney Games. In the semifinals, he failed clearly on later silver medalist Tommy Haas. In the Australian metropolis he met his future wife Mirka. Four years later, the Swiss eliminated as two-time Wimbledon champion in Athens already in the second round. In 2008 he won in Beijing at the side of his compatriot Stan Wawrinka gold in doubles, in the individual was in the quarterfinals surprisingly close.

Bitter defeat in 2012 against Murray

In 2012 he was again as the favorite to win the long-awaited gold medal in singles. On the turf of Wimbledon - his favorite surface - he lost the final against Andy Murray in three straight sets. A few weeks earlier he had won the tournament against Wimbledon at the same place.

Federer wanted to try again in 2016 - had to cancel a few weeks before the summer games in Rio, however, injury. Federer dropped out for half a year and has since won three more Grand Slam tournaments.

The announcement to participate in the games in Tokyo is not a sensation, but it comes as a surprise: Federer has suffered several setbacks lately. In Wimbledon, he lost in the longest Wimbledon final in history Novak Djokovic in five dramatic sets. In Shanghai, he lost after mixed performances in the quarterfinals against Alexander Zverev.

Federer, who currently ranks third in the world rankings, must hope for a wildcard of the organizers. Each competitor must be in the squad for three Davis Cup games during the four-year Olympic cycle, with one match falling in 2019 or 2020. At the moment this is not the case for Federer. That he gets a wildcard, but is considered likely.

Media had speculated before, whether the change from supplier Nike to the Japanese manufacturer Uniqlo could indicate a participation in the games in Tokyo. In 2018, the Swiss signed a lucrative ten-year contract to bring him $ 300 million.