Injury has once again deprived Roger Federer of the chance to compete for an Olympic singles gold medal, after the Swiss star announced his withdrawal from the Tokyo Games.
Six days after his defeat to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon, Federer revealed on social media that he would not be travelling to Japan after suffering a setback with his knee during the grass-court season.
Federer, who won an Olympic doubles gold medal alongside Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Games in Beijing but has never won the singles competition, underwent surgery on his right knee twice last year. He also missed the Rio Olympics five years ago to recover from knee surgery.
“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,” wrote Federer, 39, on social media.
“I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honour and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland.
“I have already begun rehabilitation in the hopes of returning to the tour later this summer.”
Federer’s best showing in the Olympic men’s singles came at the 2012 Games in London, where he won a silver medal after losing to Andy Murray in the final.
Federer joins a host of big names on the sidelines.
Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Olympic champion, announced his withdrawal following the French Open, as did Dominic Thiem, the US Open champion.
Denis Shapovalov, the world No 10 and recent Wimbledon semi-finalist, has also opted against the trip.
Serena Williams, a four-time gold medallist, will miss the women’s event, which will also go ahead without Bianca Andreescu, the former US Open champion, and Britain’s Johanna Konta.
Andreescu, 21, announced her withdrawal on Instagram, writing: “I have been dreaming of representing Canada at the Olympics since I was a little girl, but with all the challenges we are facing as it relates to the pandemic, I know that deep in my heart, this is the right decision to make for myself.”
Konta, 30, was forced to withdraw after contracting Covid-19. “I have been unable to train for the last two and a half weeks and sadly, this has put my body in a situation where I am unable to ask it to be fully ready in time for the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” she announced on social media.
“This is a heart-breaking reality for me, as representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 is one of my most treasured memories from my career so far.
“I’ll be doing my best to get myself back to full health and fitness and ready to be competing again soon.”
Konta was previously ruled out of Wimbledon after a member of her team tested positive for Covid.