Federer Disturbed With German’s Stringent Olympic Requirements

Written by: Staff on 22nd June 2012

Federer Disturbed With German’s Stringent Olympic Requirements

epa03245410 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Nicolas Mahut of France during their third round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 01 June 2012. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

Roger Federer has spoken out strongly against what many consider unrealistic German Olympic qualification standards which are currently preventing any man from the tennis nation of being appointed to the London Games squad. The Swiss labeled the internal German regulations a “joke.”

National Olympic bosses had decreed that only players ranked at least 24th by June 11 would be eligible for selection for the event to be played at Wimbledon. Failing the ranking test, a Grand Slam quarter-final or semi-final at a recent Masters 1000 event was required.

“It is a joke how high the criteria has been set,” said Federer, who won Beijing Games gold with Stanislas Wawrinka in doubles. “I’d like to see as many German players as possible at Wimbledon.”

German bosses seem intent on enforcing their restrictive rules despite the fact that ITF regulations say anyone with a ranking of 56 or better is eligible for the event which starts on July 28.

Out of the running for the moment are top Germans Florian Mayer (28th) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (29th) with weekend Halle winner (over Federer) Tommy Haas standing 49th.

“Kohlschreiber has beaten Rafael Nadal, Tommy has beaten me, and we are two of the favorites for both Wimbledon and the Olympics,” said Federer, who criticized the German plan. “You have to open the eyes, look beyond the boundaries and see the bigger picture.”

Topics: Beijing Games, Federer, German Olympic, London Olympics, roger, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News, Wimbledon