Top tennis stars including Federer, Sharapova snub Olympic Village because it's a two-hour drive from Wimbledon
Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova are among a host of top tennis stars who have snubbed the Athletes’ Village in a bid to avoid the travel headaches that have plagued the build-up to the Olympics.
While the majority of their compatriots competing at the Games will be staying at the village at the Olympic site in Stratford, east London, Federer, Sharapova and many of their peers will be on the other side of the capital in plush rented accommodation within walking distance of Wimbledon, which is staging the nine-day tennis event.
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Switzerland’s Roger Federer during a training session at the All England Club in Wimbledon yesterday. PIC/AFP
Several athletes arriving in London for the Games have already complained about traffic problems, while some of the staff hired to drive competitors around the city have got lost en route to their destinations.
India’s Somdev Devvarman, given a wildcard into the men’s singles, is one of the few to use the village and he has already fallen foul of the lengthy journey to and from Wimbledon.
“Here’s Milos passed out during the 2 hour ride back from the All England Club to the Village. Yes I said 2 hours!” Devvarman tweeted with an attached picture of a sleepy-looking Milos Raonic of Canada.
Routine
The prospect of being stuck on a gridlocked coach for up to two hours just to get from the Village to the All England Club has convinced many of the game’s stars to stick to their regular Wimbledon routine.
World number one Federer, bidding to add a singles’ gold medal to his glittering CV, said: “No village for me. I’ve done it twice. I’ve had the Olympic experience now in the past. I just thought it’s impossible for London. “I’ve almost got to do now what I do best, do my routine really, not change because it is the Olympics. So I will do the same here for this one and rent the same house and do the same routine again and hopefully be successful.”
Even for Russia’s flagbearer Maria Sharapova, the chance to beat the travel blues makes staying the Athletes’ Village a non-starter. “Yes, it’s too far to be in the Athletes’ Village,” she said. “It’s unfortunately so far, as it’s like over an hour’s drive. I wish I could, but that would be too much.”
Britain’s Andy Murray will return to his home comforts for the start of the event.
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