Should Roger Federer And Kei Nishikori Be Allowed to Play Tokyo Olympics 2020?

The Olympic medalists from the ATP circuit, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori have decided not to play Davis Cup Finals 2019, this slims down their chances to qualify for Tokyo Olympics Games 2020. However, they are exempted from this rule and with the application of other exemptions. Both of them, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori will be qualified for the Tokyo Olympics Games 2020, irrespective of their participation in Davis Cup.

The silver medalist at London Olympics 2012, Roger Federer will be absent from next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Madrid, Spain as the Swiss had decided to play a few exhibition events in South America.

However, according to ‘Eligibility For The Olympic Tennis Event’ World Number three, Federer has the license to play the Tokyo Olympics Games 2020 due to his previous commitments towards Olympic and Davis Cup events.

The exemption says, “Commitment to the Olympic Tennis Event and/or Davis Cup or Fed Cup: A player’s historical participation in one or both competitions.” Also, Federer has enormously contributed to both the events and has won laurels for the nation. Tokyo Games will be his fifth Olympic participation. 

The Japanese, Kei Nishikori last played the US Open 2019, after his third-round loss in New York, he called off the Asian Swing 2019 due to an elbow injury. Hence the exemption of ‘injury/illness’ which states “the injury or illness must be evidenced through authorized medical records, clearly identifying the period of absence from all competitive tennis,” is applicable to Nishikori. He has valid medical reasons to justify his absence from Davis Cup Finals.

Also, the bronze medalist, Nishikori was committed to the tennis events at the Olympics and Davis Cup throughout his career and with the application of ‘commitment exemption’ (similar to that of Federer) Nishikori has the right to participate at Tokyo Olympics Games 2020.

Presently, Roger Federer is playing in his hometown event of Swiss Indoors Basel 2019. On Monday, he held a smooth straight-set victory over the German tennis player, Peter Gojowczyk in the opening round of the Basel tournament.