Roger Federer clears doubts over Tokyo Olympics participation, throws shadow over bubble life at Wimbledon too

Roger Federer clears doubts over Tokyo Olympics participation, throws shadow over bubble life at Wimbledon too

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is back at the All England Club and will be gunning for his record 9th Wimbledon title when he steps on court on Tuesday. He hasn’t been in good form lately, bowing out in the Round of 16 at Halle to Felix Auger-Aliassime. But ahead of Wimbledon 2021, Federer believes that he is in the right mindset.

The Swiss maestro will turn 40 this year and Tokyo Olympics will be his last realistic chance to win an Olympic gold. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, Federer has shown his reservations about travelling to Tokyo. In the press conference on Saturday, Federer said that he wants to compete at the Olympics but the final decision will be made only after Wimbledon.

Federer said: “My feeling is I would like to go to the Olympics. I would like to play as many tournaments as possible. But I think we decided now let’s just get through Wimbledon, sit down as a team, and then decide where we go from there.”

‘It does feel totally different than the last 20 years here,’ Roger Federer speaks on the bubble life

Roger Federer family
Roger Federer family

Unlike previous years, players competing at this year’s Wimbledon are staying in Park Plaza hotel in central London and will have to abide by the strict COVID-19 protocols which limit their team to three people, including coaches and physios. Federer spoke about the bubble life.

“It’s the bubble. It doesn’t matter what the (hotel) room size is, whatever, it’s just living the bubble life is different,” Federer said. “Took me some getting used to the first day or two, understanding where we’re allowed to go, what we’re allowed to do. Same thing with the on-site protocols. How does it work? By now I’ve gotten used to it. I’m embracing it. I’m okay with it,”

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

“It does feel totally different than the last 20 years here since I’ve been coming here. We would arrive with the family, kids would be running everywhere. We organised the grocery shopping, get the house set up and all that stuff.”

“But look, I still feel a big privilege that I’m actually able to play Wimbledon. I’m not going to be complaining. Wimbledon tries to put on the best bubble possible.”

Federer will open his Wimbledon campaign against Adrian Mannarino on Tuesday.

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Also read: ‘I hope he can go deep here,’ Roger Federer wishes Andy Murray to go long at Wimbledon, expects a good run from himself too