Federer may not have to play in the Davis Cup to compete a tthe Olympics (Picture: Getty)

Roger Federer is set to be eligible to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, regardless of whether he opts to compete in next year’s revamped Davis Cup in Madrid.

The 37-year-old has not turned out for Switzerland in the competition since 2015, but would be required to take part in at least two Davis Cup ties prior to the next Olympics under the current rules.

A singles gold medal is one of the few prizes that has alluded the great Swiss during a magnificent career – though he has won doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka – with his best showing earning him a silver medal after defeat to Andy Murray in London 2012.



A knee injury forced him out of Rio and Tokyo is being earmarked as his last opportunity to join Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi as the only men to win all four Grand Slams as well as gold in the Olympics.


Haggerty (right) and Gerard Pique will revamp the Davis Cup (Picture: GC Images)

Federer is yet to commit to playing in the revamped Davis Cup, which will be held in Madrid in 2019 and 2020, but International Tennis Federation (ITF) chief David Haggerty has now revealed that he may not have to in order to play at the Olympics in 2020.

‘Within the rules are things about past champions, past Olympians and Grand Slam winners,’ he said.

‘I have been talking to Roger’s team and they’re aware of things.

‘He may or may not play Davis Cup, it hasn’t been decided one way or another, but all that will be factored in. Certainly someone like Roger would be great to have at the Olympics.’

Federer’s Switzerland still have to come through a potentially tricky qualifying tie against Russia in February to reach the finals in Madrid after they didn’t receive a wildcard.

Britain were handed a wildcard for the Davis Cup (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Great Britain and Argentina were the two nations to be awarded direct entry to the tournament, joining France, USA, Spain and Croatia as countries already confirmed for the November finals.

And Haggerty explained the ITF’s wildcard process.

‘We looked at things like the heritage of the nation in Davis Cup. Are the fans engaged, do the fans travel,’ Haggerty added.

February Davis Cup qualifying ties Brazil vs Belgium

Uzbekistan vs Serbia

Australia vs Bosnia/Herzegovina

India vs Italy

Germany vs Hungary

Switzerland vs Russia

Kazakhstan vs TBC

Czech Republic vs Netherlands

Colombia vs Sweden

Austria vs Chile

TBC vs Canada

China vs Japan

‘We also wanted to get a sense of the top players’ participation, and if they didn’t participate, to make sure that the team was high calibre without the top players.’

Twenty-four nations still have the chance to qualify for the main event, which will be held at the Caja Magica in 2019, by winning a two-day tie on February 1-2.