Roger Federer gives chance to his compatriot to carry the flag in Olympics – Tennis News
Number one in tennis, Roger Federer from Switzerland, gave up opportunity to become a flag bearer for the third time. As a result, his doubles partner, Stanislas Wawrinka was chosen to carry the flag at the London Olympics 2012 taking place from 28th July to 5th August.
The Swiss Maestro carried his nation’s flag at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and at Athens eight years ago. However, he decided to skip this honour in order to give someone else a chance.
"It would have been amazing," Federer was quoted in a press conference. "And there's no denying that I would have loved to do it. I just felt it was important to give someone else a chance, particularly in Switzerland. We do believe other people should also have chances. That's why I told Swiss Olympic [officials] I think they should choose someone else."
After hearing his decision, the officials chose his doubles partner, Wawrinka, for this honour. Federer has won Gold medal with Wawrinka in Beijing four years ago.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion, Federer, reflected about the new flag bearer, Wawrinka.
"They then chose my [doubles] partner, Stan Wawrinka, and I think it's a great, great honour for him. Because I could not have won Olympic gold without him."
London Olympics are taking place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet club where Federer won his seventh Wimbledon title three weeks ago. The Swiss may have won gold in the doubles event but is still bidding to grab a medal in the singles. He is the favourite to win gold in this Olympics and he is eyeing to better his record.
The jubilant Swiss finished fourth in Sydney Olympics 2000, his best performance in Olympics. He then made a second round showing in Athens and reached the final eight at the Beijing Olympics.
Federer’s career win-loss record on Tour is 853-192 (81.6 per cent) while his all time singles win-loss record in Olympics is 8-4 (66.7 per cent). He fell to former world number two Tommy Haas, Arnaud Di Pasquale, Czech number one Tomas Berdych and James Blake.
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