Roger Federer’s big break in tennis came in the Olympics, but despite numerous victories and years as the world No. 1, the legendary Swiss player has never won the singles crown in the games. The 39-year-old now has one more opportunity to win gold in Tokyo.
Because of his illustrious career, the Olympic Games have always coincided with some of his most pivotal years. His first Games, in Sydney in 2000, allowed him to make his mark on the world stage while also allowing him to begin dating Mirka Vavrinec, the love of his life. Meanwhile, in his first year as world number-1, Athens 2004 was a disappointment.
After a historic 237 weeks as world No. 1, he was knocked off the top of the men’s singles game in Beijing 2008, and months later, he equalled Pete Sampras’ Open era record for Wimbledon titles in London 2012. He did not compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and as a result, he slid out of the top ten men’s list for the first time in 14 years. With the Games in Tokyo approaching, this year’s Games will be no different in terms of achieving goals.
At the Sydney Games in 2000, Roger Federer won the men’s singles gold. At the time, the Swiss prodigy was rated 39th in the world. Federer advanced to the semi-finals of his first Games but lost in the final to Tommy Haas. In his first big international tournament, the 17-year-old went on to earn bronze in the Games. In February 2000, the then-unheralded Swiss reached his first ATP final in Marseille.
Roger Federer will turn 40 years of age during the delayed Tokyo Games. This is his last chance to get the men’s singles gold at the Olympics. Federer has missed out in the five Olympic tournaments to appear during his career. Despite winning the Olympic doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka in 2008, the renowned Swiss player has never won the Olympic singles crown. It is that one barrier he has never surpassed and would be voraciously willing to do so this time around.
