Will Roger Federer Skip the Olympics this Year?

Posted March 3, 2008 at 05:17 PM by Rich Rodriguez

Section: Beijing 2008, Events, Tennis

Could the pressure of possibly being the greatest tennis player of all time finally getting to the usually unflappable Roger Federer? The “Swiss Stylist”, who has expressed his desire to participate in the Olympics and win the gold medal, sang a different tune this week when he revealed that the decision to travel to Beijing for the Summer Games has not been finalized yet.

Federer, who was defeated by Britain’s Andy Murray in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships today (his first opening-round loss since 2004), said he was disillusioned by his experience at the 2004 Athens Games that included transportation and scheduling woes and constant recognition in the Olympic Village. The 26-year old spoke to the press in Dubai this week and said,

“It was quite difficult in Athens. Taking the bus and not being in control of my own schedule, and many people recognising me in the village. It was not as enjoyable as Sydney, which I loved. I still have not made up my mind (whether to play in Beijing).”

The 12-time Grand Slam champion is two Grand Slams away from matching Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major titles. However, he lost the Australian Open title to upstart Serb Novak Djokovic, the French Open - played on Federer’s least favorite clay surface - has been owned by Spain’s Rafael Nadal for the last three years, and now the opening-round loss to young Murray in Dubai. With the Olympics falling in between Wimbledon and the US Open, is Federer leaving the door open for him to focus on the last two majors of the year?

Sources and for more information: [Citizen.co.au][BBC]