Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer just dropped a huge hint that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics might be his swan song.
“It is already clear that I am at the end of my career,” Federer recently told SRFSport.
The world-ranked No. 4 — who has already bowed out of the coronavirus-abbreviated 2020 season due to an injury setback — says he hopes to return to the sport in 2021, but isn’t making plans for after that.
“I cannot say what will be in two years,” Federer said. “That’s why I plan year after year. I’m still happy right now. But when the cogwheels don’t grip anymore, I stop.”
The Swiss star turns 39 this August and has enjoyed unprecedented success both on- and off-the-court throughout his lengthy career. In May, he was named the world’s highest-earning athlete by Forbes due in large part to his many endorsements. He is also the most decorated male tennis player in history, including a gold medal from the 2008 Beijing games in men’s doubles and a silver from the 2012 London games in men’s singles.
Federer was forced to withdraw from the 2016 games in Rio De Janeiro due to a knee injury, but made a valiant comeback campaign the following year. He won men’s singles titles at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017.
He is currently recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and hopes to replicate that comeback next year, particularly at the Tokyo Olympics next summer after they were postponed a year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“Olympics are always special. I’m excited to see what Tokyo will be like and hope the Games can take place in 2021,” he said. “Of course I want a medal there. No matter whether in singles, doubles or mixed.
“I’m not there yet. If you have been on the tour for 20 years, you are happy to have a quieter year. The right preparation starts about three months before the Games – you don’t think about it beforehand.”
Federer’s impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. On-court versatility and dominance aside, he has been involved in a multitude of philanthropic activities including the Roger Federer Foundation, which has made tennis more accessible to 1.55 million disadvantaged children worldwide since it was founded in 2003.
“When I am old, I will surely play tennis,” he said. “But no longer train but just ‘ball.’ It will be a very interesting step not to always work on something and only to play with colleagues.”
The 38-year-old is married to former Swiss WTA player Miroslava Federer, 42, whom he met competing at his first Olympic games back in 2000 in Sydney. The couple have two sets of identical twins together and reside in Bottmingen, Switzerland.