"The history and everything that came with it": Roger Federer lauds importance of Olympic Games to Swiss athletes

Former world number one Switzerland’s Roger Federer has stated the importance of participating in an event like Olympics.

The 42-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s singles tennis in the Open era.

Federer, while talking to the participants of the 2024 Olympic Games, stated how it was special for him to take part in the mega-event.

"For me, it was always very important, but we have a lot of highlights in the year,” he said. “That’s why the Olympics are not just one more, but one of the big ones. I was able to take part in every Olympic year.

“It was a huge experience for me, not only as a player, and athlete but also as a person. The history and everything that came with it, when you think back on it.

“Before the Olympics, for example, try to adapt social media consumption to how it will be during the games. And it always helped me to stay relaxed when it came to the Olympics.”

Federer’s best performance while playing at the Olympics came in 2008 in Beijing where he won the Gold in the doubles category while playing alongside Stan Wawrinka.

The duo managed to defeat Sweden’s duo of Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson in the final with a score of 6–3, 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 6–3.

In the singles category, Federer won the Silver medal in the 2012 edition where he suffered a defeat against the former world number one Britain’s Andy Murray in the final with a score of 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

Federer announced his retirement from professional tennis last year in September after struggling with fitness concerns for a long period of time.

He ended his career after winning 20 Grand Slam titles. His most successful competition was Wimbledon where he lifted the title eight times.