Men’s world number six tennis player Roger Federer has pulled out of the upcoming ATP 500 event in Dubai after losing in the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Thursday, March 11, his first tournament in more than a year. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who returned to action after two knee operations last year, defeated Briton Dan Evans in three sets in his comeback match in Doha but lost 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in the next round.
“It’s been great to be back on the @atptour, loved every minute playing in Doha once again,” 20-times Grand Slam winner Federer said on social media. “I’ve decided it’s best to go back to training and as a result, I’ve decided to withdraw from Dubai next week.”
“I’m happy [with] how I played today. I’m happy [with] how I did yesterday,” said Federer. “I’m happy I [am] back on the Tour. I’m pleased I came here to Doha. So it’s really, really a positive return for me. I’m really happy,” Federer had said after his Qatar Open exit. Notably, world number two Rafa Nadal has also pulled out of the Dubai event, which will run from March 14-20.
Tokyo my Olympics farewell: Mary Kom
Indian boxing great Mary Kom has said the Tokyo Olympic Games will be her final Olympics.
Six-time world champion Kom, 38, has been boxing for 20 years but it was only at the London Olympics in 2012 that women were allowed to compete for the first time. That was her first shot at an Olympics medal after she had secured several world crowns, and she came back with a bronze medal from London after losing in the semifinals.
“Tokyo will be my last Olympics, age matters here. I’m 38 now, going on 39,” Kom told the Olympic Channel. “Four (actually three) more years is a long time. Pretty sure I won’t be allowed to even if I’m willing to carry on till Paris 2024.” The age limit for boxers is set at 40 but was extended to 41 for the Tokyo Games, which were pushed back by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She said she is happy with the fact that her bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics inspired young girls in the country to take up the sport.