Roger Federer: Why isn't Roger Federer playing at the Davis Cup? Real reason revealed
ROGER FEDERER is not playing for Switzerland in the Davis Cup against Kazakhstan - but why?
Federer is one of five of sport’s biggest stars missing out on the Davis Cup, tennis’ international team event.
He and Stan Wawrinka were key men in Switzerland's 2014 title success but they both miss the trip to Kazakhstan.
Injury also keeps out Novak Djokovic, who isn’t available to play in Serbia's home tie with the US.
Andy Murray is also missing through injury but he did find the time to send own his well-wishes.
He tweeted on Friday morning: “All the best to the davis cup team over in Marbella over the weekend.”
Rafael Nadal is also missing as he bids to manage a long-standing knee problem,
Roger Federer isn't playing in the Davis Cup
Why isn’t Roger Federer playing?
Federer won the Australian Open on Sunday and isn’t feeling any ill effects on his body.
The 36-year-old manages his schedule carefully and doesn’t feel turning out for Switzerland gives him the best chance to extend his career.
He has spoken about playing into his 40s and sits out the clay-court season in a bid to do just that.
Federer was asked about why he wasn’t turning out in the Davis Cup in November.
He said: “I haven’t officially retired from the Davis Cup, so not because of that reason. It’s just because it’s always highly unlikely that I’ll play at this stage of my career.”
With no Federer and Wawrinka, the five-man Davis Cup team is:
Henri Laaksonen
Adrian Bodmer
Marc-Andrea Hustler
Antoine Bellier
Luca Margaroli
Will Federer play in the Davis Cup again?
The one thing that could make that happen is the Olympics. Rules state players must have played at least two Davis Cup matches between the two Olympic cycles - 2016 and 2020.
It means to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Federer would have to turn out twice in the Davis Cup.
He has never won singles gold at an Olympics.
Asked about it last year, Federer said: “I didn’t even know the rule, so thanks for the information.
“You know, I haven’t set Tokyo Olympics as a goal either. It hurt not being in Rio, but I was okay without it, too.
“I was flag bearer twice. I won gold. I won silver. I feel like I achieved a lot of great things at the Olympics.
“I’m not thinking that far ahead.”