Rob2012 Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 With seven years to go, Wimbledon champion Roger Federer is already setting his sights on a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Having won his third successive title at the All England Club this month, Federer celebrated again after hearing that Olympic tennis was heading to his favourite venue. "He phoned up from his holiday as soon as he heard that London had got the Games," Federer's mother Lynette told Reuters. "He was so thrilled. "He was saying 'Mum, can you imagine having the Olympics at Wimbledon?' "I tried to calm him down a bit by asking how old he would be in 2012. But we worked out that he'd be only 30 so it's certainly possible. "He even said that he might be able to win the Olympic gold medal at Wimbledon and then retire." Last year Federer won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments but is yet to win at Roland Garros, which would have been the site for the Olympic tournament if Paris had been chosen to stage the 2012 Games. "I don't think he would have minded playing the Olympics there either," Lynette Federer said. "But to be able to represent his country at Wimbledon is definitely something very special for him." An Olympic gold is one of the few trophies to elude the 23-year-old world number one. In Athens last year the Swiss was knocked out in the second round by Czech Tomas Berdych. Link :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKYSALT Posted July 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 The battle for wimbledon olyimpic gold will be the tennis tornament of the centuary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Venues like Wimbledon, Wembley, Lords, Old Trafford, the Millennium Stadium, Hyde Park, Eton Dorney etc. were always the X-factor and by far the strongest aspect of our bid in my opinion, and comments like Federer's confirm this. The tennis tournaments at the Olympics are normally nothing special (I never watch the Games for the tennis!), but the fact the the world's best player is getting this excited seven years in advance is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbell Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 It's venues like Wimbledon which will really motivate athletes to really compete to the best of their abilities and realise their potential - this, especially for the less popular olympic events such as tennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
its a bid of magic Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 I don't blame Federer for getting excited about having the Olympic Tennis Medal Tournament at Wimbledon. He only has to turn up and the Gold medal will be his, even in 7 years time. lol - He's unbeatable on Grass. Agreed Rob, our venue's certainly had the x-factor in the bid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbell Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Maybe Andy Murray will have something to say about that! :: Wishful thinking eh!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwebb Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Federer will be 30, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKYSALT Posted July 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 I must say I wouldent normaly turn the olyimpics on for tennis but then Hennman geting knoked out inther first round wasn't much encouregment. I think having it at wimbledon will rais its profile though in the olyimpics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archie4 Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 I'd be excited if I was Rodger Federer too! He is only 23 now, and he's already won Wimbledon three times. If he keeps up his superior grass court play, he'll surely be the next Pete Sampras! In all seriousness, I think Wimbledon will provide the perfect backdrop for tennis in 2012. Wimbledon is an extremely popular tournament with players, so I expect fabulous participation at the olympic tennis tournament. Can you imagine being presented the gold medal in tennis on Centre Court?! I wonder if Wimbledon will wave the "all white" policy for the games :: ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.