Federer Shuts Himself Down For Olympics, U.S. Open To Focus On Future
By Barry Janoff
July 26, 2016: Stating that he needs "more extensive rehabilitation" following his knee surgery earlier this year, world No. 3 ranked tennis player Roger Federer said that he and his doctors have concurred that he needs to shut down his playing schedule for the reminder of the season.
Which means that Federer will not represent Switzerland in the 2016 Summer Games and will also miss the U.S. Open.
"Considering all options after consulting with my doctors and my team, I have made the very difficult decision to call an end to my 2016 season as I need more extensive rehabilitation following my knee surgery earlier this year," Federer, 34, wrote on his Web site and Facebook page today July 26).
"The doctors advised that if I want to play on the ATP World Tour injury free for another few years, as I intend to do, I must give both my knee and body the proper time to fully recover."
The last time Federer appeared in competition was earlier this month when he reached the semi-finals of The Championship at Wimbledon, losing in five sets to No. 7 ranked Milos Raonic.
In a post prior to unveiling his shutdown, Federer wrote, "Looking forward to playing The Hopman Cup in Western Australia Jan. 1-7, 2017."
Federer has won 17 Grand Slam men's singles titles and two Olympic medals (gold in doubles in Beijing 2008, silver in London 2012). He has been ranked No. 1 in the world for 302 weeks during his pro career, which began in 1994, and not been ranked lower than No. 5 in the world since 2002.
Federer earns some $60 million in endorsements from deals that include Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Credit Suisse, Lindt, Moet & Chandon, NetJets, Wilson and Rolex, which recently unveiled a campaign, "One To Watch," built around the tennis star.
"I am as motivated as ever and plan to put all my energy towards coming back strong, healthy and in shape to play attacking tennis in 2017."
"It is tough to miss the rest of the year. However, the silver lining is that this experience has made me realize how lucky I have been throughout my career with very few injuries," Federer wrote. "The love I have for tennis, the competition, tournaments and of course you, the fans remains intact.
"I am as motivated as ever and plan to put all my energy towards coming back strong, healthy and in shape to play attacking tennis in 2017."
Also missing from the Olympics and U.S. Open will be Maria Sharapova (suspension) and Victoria Azarenka (pregnancy).
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