Federer sets his sight on Olympics

Federer sets his sight on Olympics

Roger Federer has come up with full vengeance this summer at Wimbledon along with London Olympics to seek gold in both tournaments. Having won Wimbledon, now he sets his sight on London Olympics with almost impeccable Swiss timing, Roger Federer has a last chance to fill the remaining spot in his bulging trophy cabinet on the court that witnessed the blooming of a tennis genius. Roger loves Wimbledon which will also host the Olympic tennis tournament in a few weeks and at 30, and with a record 17 grand slam titles to his name, Federer knows time is running short. 

Now, it is a trivalry, with emergence of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have been dominant in last two seasons of Slams. The recent domination of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has left Federer waiting for a 17th major since he won the Australian Open in 2010. Federer is fast losing his touch while he is nearing 31, so he has to fight it out against Nadal and Djokovic. It was foolish to discount him from this year's grass court grand slam, a title he has won six times, which he won for seventh time. But his best chance of glory on the lawns of south-west London might come a few weeks later at the Olympics. From the moment he surprisingly lost to James Blake in the quarter-finals of the Beijing singles four years ago, Federer has been eyeing his shot at gold in London on Aug. 5. 

But while the 17-time Grand Slam winner watches from the wings as Djokovic and Nadal contest the big prizes. But returning to No. 1 in grand fashion with Wimbledon win was absolutely like the old Roger Federer. Not only does he have to deal with Nadal, now he’s got Djokovic and there’s still Murray and maybe Del Potro in line-up. Let's not forget the extraordinary run of 32 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, a record that surely will never be broken. And of course the Olympics is a substantial and realistic goal later in the summer. 

Some believe that tennis does not need the Olympics. However, Nadal's joy at winning in Beijing proved how much the title meant to him and should Federer crown his career this year it could become one of the iconic images of the London Games. Federer clearly believes Olympic recognition is good for tennis.  Federer has twice carried the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony and it would be a surprise if that were not to happen again. After all, he is Switzerland's greatest sportsman and, each summer in London, he has become almost royalty.