Federer leads Swiss tennis contingent in Beijing
Roger Federer has begun training at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Chinese capital, Beijing.
He was accompanied by fellow player Stanislas Wawrinka, girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec, coach Severin Lüthi and several hundred cheering Swiss fans.
Federer, who will lose his world number one ranking on August 18, was able to arrive in the Chinese capital earlier than expected after his exit from the Cincinnati Open tournament at the hands of 18th ranked Croatian Ivo Karlovic.
He appeared humourless throughout his two-hour workout with doubles partner Wawrinka, particularly as the name of Tomas Berdych, the Czech who stunned him four years ago in Athens Olympics, appeared on the screen beside his.
The Basel-born Federer is set to carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony on August 8, his 27th birthday.
Tuesday morning also saw Swiss players Timea Bacsinszky and Emmanuelle Gagliardi practise with each other. Patty Schnyder is set to train on Wednesday.
“Everybody is fit,” said coach Lüthi.
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