ROGER FEDERER has withdrawn from Switzerland’s team for the Rio Olympics and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season because of a knee injury. The tennis star underwent knee surgery earlier this year and according to a statement on his Facebook page, requires “more extensive rehabilitation.”

    Federer won a silver medal for Switzerland in singles at the London Olympics in 2012 and a gold medal with partner Stan Wawrinka in doubles at Beijing in 2008. However, a gold medal in singles remains the one major vacancy in the seven-time Wimbledon winner’s trophy cabinet.

    The 17-time Grand Slam title winner is coming off a semifinal loss to Milos Raonic at this year’s Wimbledon but missed the French Open, in part because of the knee surgery he underwent in February. At 34, this is likely to be Federer’s final chance to compete in the Olympics, meaning he will likely end his career without ever having captured a gold medal in singles.(SD-Agencies)