Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has insisted that the Olympic Games is an important part of the tennis calendar.

Many people believe that tennis, which was reinstated as an Olympic sport in 1988, should not be part of the programme.

However, world number one Federer is adamant that every competitor down the years has shown that they care about the event "dearly".

"The Olympic Games have been special for me since 2000," said the 30-year-old. "I know we are professional athletes and normally the Olympics are for amateurs.

"But I think tennis has shown enough goodwill to prove our point that we care so dearly about the Olympics."

Federer won gold in the doubles during the 2008 Games in Beijing.