Roger Federer says he has no plans to retire after 2016 Rio Olympics
Swiss maestro Roger Federer insists he has no plans to retire from the sport of tennis in the next calendar year and has already begun his preparations for the next Olympics, to be held in August next year in the Brazilian capital, Rio De Janerio. The 34-year old has also put an end to long-time speculation surrounding his retirement after spending 17-long years at the highest level.
Currently, Federer is ranked 3rd in the ATP World Rankings with 8265 points to his name behind Briton Andy Murray and the World no.1 Serbian international, Novak Djokovic.
Federer has not tasted Grand Slam glory since his Wimbledon triumph in 2012, but the Swiss veteran claims he will be raring to go at the year starting Grand Slam – the Australian Open.
He confirmed the news by saying, “The Australian Open is obviously a big goal for me. And after that, it's going to be a long, tough year. So I'm happy. I'm feeling fine physically and in good shape and, of course, like I say so many times, I hope I'm still on tour for a while.”
The 17-time Grand Slam Singles Champion will turn 35 (August 8th) during the 2016 Rio Olympics and is targeting the only triumph missing in his already glittering career – the singles Olympic gold. Federer had to settle for the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics when Britain’s Andy Murray took revenge for his Wimbledon final loss against the same opponent by taking the gold after a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 demolition of the then World No. 1.
However, Federer has an Olympic medal to his name, when he, along with Stan Wawrinka, won the doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Federer reveals reasons to play Mixed Doubles at Rio
The Swiss ace admitted how special the Olympics is for him, but played down the drama surrounding his search for the singles gold.
He said, “The Olympics for me is very unique. It's about representing Switzerland, making Switzerland proud. I got a gold in doubles with Stan [Wawrinka] so I feel like I accomplished that dream already. Winning the silver was amazing at Wimbledon during the London Olympics, so I don't feel like the Rio Olympics necessarily has to be the singles gold like everybody talks about. That's why I'm going to be playing mixed doubles with Martina Hingis.”
Federer is currently taking part in the International Tennis Premier League(IPTL) in India, UAE and Singapore.
He concluded, “I still care very dearly and I still have the fire, so I think that will never go away until the day really is there where I retire when then everything just drops away.”
One thing is for sure, fans all over the world will be delighted with this news irrespective of who they support as Federer’s popularity transcends all rivalry.
Here is my tentative 2016 schedule. Happy holidays and thanks for all your support!