Olympian Makes Olympic Debut

Written by: Staff on 4th August 2012

Olympian Makes Olympic Debut

epa03337884 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his men's semi final match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 03 August 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

(Courtesy of ITF)

Watching Roger Federer play tennis can be too much to bear for one ardent fan. “I feel like I lose years off my life every time I watch Roger play because I’m so stressed out!”

That was the reaction from American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn after she watched her favourite athlete of all time defeat Juan Martin del Potro in that record-breaking 36 76 1917 match on Friday.

The Vancouver Winter Olympics gold medallist is making her first ever visit to the Summer Games: “It was a spur of the moment thing. I wasn’t sure over the last couple of months whether I was going to be able to make it here, but I have always wanted to watch a summer Olympics and it worked out with my training schedule.”

“It’s been a great experience so far and then coming here today and watching Roger and del Potro play this amazing match. I don’t think I can beat this Olympic experience. Serena played so fast I was congratulating Roger and I turned around and she’s already almost winning the second set!”

In addition to her role as official Roger and Team USA supporter, Lindsey is in London as ambassador of the Youth Olympic Games. The inaugural YOG – for athletes aged 14 to 18 – was staged two years ago in Singapore and the first Winter YOG in Innsbruck in January of this year.

“There are actually over 150 athletes that competed in Singapore at the Youth Olympic Games that are competing here and they won 11 medals so far. It’s a really great message that needs to be voiced more and that’s what I’m trying to do.

“If I had the opportunity to compete at the Youth Olympic Games when I was young I think that would have helped me so much and I would have been so much more prepared going into my first real Olympics. The experience was invaluable. I think it’s a great way not only for athletes to have that experience of the Olympics but to have that cultural experience.”

Topics: Federer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Lindsey Vonn, London Olympics, Olympic tennis, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News