World No. 1 tennis player Roger Federer may have a locker full of Grand Slam titles--but he has come to Beijing courting an elusive medal: Olympic gold.
Despite finishing fourth in Sydney and surprisingly failing to progress past the Second Round in Athens, you could say Federer is in love with the Olympics.
Eight years ago, at Sydney 2000, single women across the world sadly took out their pens to cross Federer's name from their list of eligible bachelors after the Swiss ace met his long-term partner, former professional tennis player Mirka Vavrinec.
He didn't get the gold, but he did get the girl -- although more recently Federer has been fending off the advances of a different kind of suitor -- 22-year-old Spaniard Rafael Nadal has eyed Federer's coveted Men's No. 1 tennis crown and will finally succeed him as the sport's top-ranked player on August 18.
A relatively poor 2008 by his own high standards hasn't prevented Federer from being seeded No. 1 for the Beijing 2008 Men's Singles contest. Indeed, he celebrated his 27th birthday in style on Friday (August 8), by proudly carrying the Swiss flag into the National Stadium during the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
"My most unique birthday of all time," he said, although not his happiest Olympic memory so far. "Meeting my girlfriend at the Olympic Games eight years ago was obviously a highlight of my career. Carrying the flag was different…I've been with my girlfriend for eight years, carrying the flag took ten minutes."
A few years ago the Olympic Games lacked the fame, glamour and riches of the tennis professional circuit, but players like Federer no longer view it that way.
"I grew up watching the likes of Carl Lewis and, in 1992, seeing Mark Rose win a Swiss tennis gold. It is great to be part of it."
Indeed, some critics have questioned whether there is a place in the 'Olympic family' for the richest stars of professional sports in basketball, football and tennis. But for Federer, the Olympic Games is about respect: "We're are all chasing the same thing -- Olympic gold, not money."
That's why the Olympic tennis tournament is no longer an opportunity for lower-ranked players to Hoover up easy medals. Other than a handful of injured players, most of the world's top men's and women's players are in Beijing, so it won't be a walk in the park for the likes of Federer or 2008 Women's Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams.
"Ninety-five percent of the high level tennis players are here. We're proud that tennis is part of the Olympic Games," said Federer.
"At every tournament there are a handful of players who are the favorites and I am one of them," he commented, when asked about the likely challenge from the likes of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
He describes his battle with Nadal for supremacy at the summit of men's tennis as "great for tennis," and "something special. We have very different characters."
Federer is considered by many commentators to be the greatest tennis player of all time. He has been ranked World No. 1 for a record 238 consecutive weeks and his 12 Grand Slam titles include three Australian Open, five Wimbledon and four US Open titles. On top, you can add four Tennis Masters Cup titles and fourteen ATP Masters Series wins.
He is also Mr. Consistency -- reaching 17 consecutive Grand Slam singles semifinals since the 2004 Wimbledon championships -- small wonder he was named 2008 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record fourth consecutive time.
But while you'll find Federer's name in the record books, one place you won't spot him is in the Olympic Games Athletes Village. For a sportsman who lists the Swiss Alps as a favorite hideaway haunt, he finds the Village atmosphere too intense.
"There is too much attention, including from other athletes. I want to prepare perfectly so that means getting away from it." Not that Federer is bored with Beijing or the Olympics Games. "There are so many things to see and do. It is a dream come true to be here."
The question is, having found the love of his life at the Olympics, can Federer clutch something else to his heart -- an Olympic medal? We will soon find out.
Federer's quest for Olympic glory started on August 10 with the first round of the Men's Singles.
(BOCOG August 11, 2008)