BEIJING – Roger Federer has added a gold medal to his extensive trophy collection by teaming with Stanislas Wawrinka to win the Olympic doubles on Saturday, beating Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3.

Federer extended his arms in triumph and began to hop. Then, he embraced his doubles partner and they hopped together. Federer had waited a while for a big victory to celebrate, and when the chance came he was ready.

For Federer, the victory was a moment to savour in a frustrating year. He lost in the quarterfinals of Olympic singles, his Grand Slam total has been stalled at 12 since last September, and his 4½-year reign atop the rankings will end Monday when Rafael Nadal becomes No. 1.

But he’s now a medallist for the first time in his three Olympics.

"Sort of a dream-come-true moment," Federer said. "Maybe it comes around once in a lifetime. It’s almost disbelief, to some degree."

[AP / Expatica]