20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has confirmed that he absolutely plans to play at the Tokyo Olympics next year as he is still hoping to win his maiden Olympic gold in singles before calling it a career.
Federer, ranked at No. 5 in the world, was hoping to win his maiden gold medal in singles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics but unfortunately for the Swiss he was forced to miss Rio after undergoing a season-ending knee surgery after 2016 Wimbledon.
Federer made the semifinal in his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, suffered a shock second round loss at the 2004 Athens Olympics, made the quarterfinal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
However, Federer has a gold medal in his collection as he and fellow compatriot Stan Wawrinka won the doubles event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“Big plan is to be there (Japan) for the Olympics. Let’s hope for the best for the Olympic Games coming to Tokyo next year, this is also one of my big goals.
I really hope I can come back to Tokyo for that,” Federer told WOWWOWtennis, as revealed by Seiadoumogera.
Federer Reveals His Family Loves Japan
“Mirka loves the country and the culture so do I, my kids still keep talking about Japan so much (since we visited Japan last year), I’m really amazed how the experience in Japan left really positive mark on them,” Federer revealed.
Recently, world No. 3 Dominic Thiem also spoke about how excited he was about the Tokyo Olympics. ‘
Thiem, who claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at this year’s US Open, didn’t want to participate at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics but now he is ready for his Olympic debut.
“I am going to participate at the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo starting on July 23!” Thiem said in a post on his website.
“I have been thinking about it for a longer period of time, and next year it eventually fits into my tournament schedule.
“I am looking forward to it to compete for a medal. My coach Nicolas Massu won two gold medals in Athens in 2004, he told me about the incredibly wonderful emotions.
“I want to feel these kind of emotions myself. For an athlete the atmosphere at the Olympics must be unique, I want to soak it all up.”
