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See you: Roger Federer will take a break from competition after his Wimbledon exit
Photo: Adam Davy / dpa
Tennis star Roger Federer has canceled his participation in the Tokyo Olympics. The 39-year-old Swiss named renewed problems with his knee as the reason. "I am very disappointed because it was always an honor and a highlight of my career when I represented Switzerland," he wrote on Tuesday on social networks. He has already started rehabilitation "in the hope of being back later this summer."
Before Federer, several greats in the tennis world had already declared their waiver of participation in Tokyo: Rafael Nadal will be absent from the tournament, which will take place without spectators due to the pandemic development in Japan, as will the top ten players Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov. The Australian Nick Kyrgios had also announced that he did not want to play in front of empty ranks. The Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic had left it open after his victory at Wimbledon whether he would compete at the Olympics. Among the women who are missing are superstar Serena Williams and top players Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin.
For Federer it would have been the fifth participation in the Olympics.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner won gold in doubles in Beijing in 2008 alongside Stan Wawrinka.
In 2012 in London he won silver in the singles.
He was the flag bearer of the Swiss Olympic team twice.
The Olympic Games in the Japanese capital will open on July 23rd and end on August 8th.
cev / dpa