Roger Federer and Martina Hingis will not be competing in the 2012 Olympic mixed doubles event to the disappointment of many fans.
It was the dream partnership for many fans. Two of the most fabulously gifted players ever to grace a tennis court, blessed with the most exquisite touch and instinctive ability at the net. They seemed destined to play mixed doubles together and many were hoping that Hingis would come out of retirement for the London 2012 Olympics.
However Federer's coach Severin Luthi has confirmed that it will not be happening. “Martina and Roger talked together and decided that they will not compete in mixed doubles,” he told the Swiss press.
It always seemed more like a marketing man's dream rather than an idea which had originated from either Federer or Hingis. The 16 time Grand Slam champion always talked his way around the question when it arose in press conferences and one suspects that Federer feels that competing in three events could be to the detriment to his chances of clinching the gold medal he wants most - that elusive Olympic singles title.
Federer has underperformed in the past two Olympics (although he did strike doubles gold in Beijing with Stanislas Wawrinka) but with London 2012 to be held on the grass of Wimbledon, this could be his best chance.
The Olympic tennis event begins on July 28th.
