Roger Federer is hoping to team up with former world number one Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics.
If it goes ahead, Federer would be making an assault on three Olympic gold medals in London. He already plans to enter the singles and defend his men's doubles title with Stanislas Wawrinka. However singles gold will be the top priority for the Swiss. He came closest in Sydney, over a decade ago when he reached the semi-finals before losing out and then again in the bronze medal playoff.
Federer's Olympic results have been strangely poor. He went into Athens 2004 as the overwhelming favourite but was stunned early on by a teenage Tomas Berdych and then in Beijing he never looked comfortable, eventually losing to an inspired James Blake in the quarters. Whenever his Olympic record is questioned, Federer always bristles and points to his doubles gold three years ago but secretly he will know he has underachieved so far.
2012 may offer his best chance so far, held at his favourite location in the world, the lawns of Wimbledon where he has claimed six titles in a glittering career.
Hingis has not competed on the professional circuit for four years since her comeback ended abruptly with a positive test for cocaine. However she has kept her eye in with Team Tennis matches in the States and another shot at the Olympics may well tempt her.
