Federer considers skipping Beijing

Mon, 03 Mar 09:17:00 2008

Roger Federer, who has always previously said that an Olympic gold medal is one of his biggest goals, has cast doubt on whether he would play in the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Federer was a little disillusioned with his experience at the Athens four years ago where he lost early on to Tomas Berdych and feels that some of the shortcomings of those Games might be repeated in China.
The world No.1 from Switzerland said he felt that there were several difficulties, apart from the breeze, and he would like to consider avoiding a repeat.
"It was quite difficult in Athens," Federer said. "Taking the bus and not being in control of my own schedule, and many people recognising me in the village.
"It was not as enjoyable as Sydney, which I loved. I still have not made up my mind (whether to play in Beijing)," he added, perhaps concerned as to whether there would be traffic and commuting problems for visiting athletes.
Asked about the inconvenience of being so often recognised, Federer elaborated by saying: "Every time I go to eat everyone taps on your shoulder. I don't mind it but I wish it was different one day of the week."
Avoiding recognition is also one of the reasons why he makes Dubai his training base, Federer admitted.
It is an arrangement which may help him deal with the rare situation in which he find himself this week.
The world's best player finds himself playing one of the world's most up-and-coming players, Andy Murray in the first round of the Dubai Open - a situation which could only happen here in this very unusual tournament.
That is because the record appearance money gives it an entry similar to the top half of a Master Series, or top quarter of a Grand Slam. But it is a third level tournament's 32 draw with only eight seeds.
Murray, the world number 12 from Scotland, is therefore likely to be a tougher first Test than Federer will get anywhere, especially as he has not competed since being beaten by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open more than six weeks ago.

This was as close as Federer got to admitting that his performances in Melbourne might have been affected by having been ill, as had been rumoured, though when asked about this directly he deflected it.