Roger Federer first had the honor of carrying Switzerland's flag at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Flying the flag —
Roger Federer first had the honor of carrying Switzerland's flag at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
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The tennis star was again chosen as flag bearer at Beijing 2008 despite failing to earn a medal in his two previous Olympic appearances.
Beijing honor —
The tennis star was again chosen as flag bearer at Beijing 2008 despite failing to earn a medal in his two previous Olympic appearances.
Getty Images
However, this year the duty has been passed to Federer's friend Stanislas Wawrinka, who helped him finally climb onto the Olympic rostrum at Beijing.
Stan's the man —
However, this year the duty has been passed to Federer's friend Stanislas Wawrinka, who helped him finally climb onto the Olympic rostrum at Beijing.
AFP/Getty Images
Wawrinka and Federer had long been practice partners, but came together to win the men's doubles title. In the semifinals they beat top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States, who had to settle for bronze.
Standing tall —
Wawrinka and Federer had long been practice partners, but came together to win the men's doubles title. In the semifinals they beat top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States, who had to settle for bronze.
Wawrinka collapses after winning the match point in the final against Sweden's Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson.
Giving everything —
Wawrinka collapses after winning the match point in the final against Sweden's Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson.
Federer breaks down as the significance of their achievement gets the better of him.
Overcome with emotion —
Federer breaks down as the significance of their achievement gets the better of him.
Wawrinka told CNN that in order to stop themselves from crying, he and Federer cracked jokes up on the podium. When Federer took a look at his medal, he told Wawrinka there was a crack in it.
Tearjerker —
Wawrinka told CNN that in order to stop themselves from crying, he and Federer cracked jokes up on the podium. When Federer took a look at his medal, he told Wawrinka there was a crack in it.
That 2008 moment remains the peak of Wawrinka's career. He has won two men's singles titles since, but has only reached the quarterfinal stage of a grand slam twice. This year he lost in the fourth round at the French Open, the third round at the Australian Open and the first at Wimbledon.
Back down to earth —
That 2008 moment remains the peak of Wawrinka's career. He has won two men's singles titles since, but has only reached the quarterfinal stage of a grand slam twice. This year he lost in the fourth round at the French Open, the third round at the Australian Open and the first at Wimbledon.
Wawrinka won the 2003 French Open boys' title, just after turning 18, as he beat American Brian Baker in straight sets. Stepping up to the adult circuit ranked as the world's 14th-ranked junior, his decision to quit school aged 15 to focus on his tennis career seemed justified.
High school dropout graduates —
Wawrinka won the 2003 French Open boys' title, just after turning 18, as he beat American Brian Baker in straight sets. Stepping up to the adult circuit ranked as the world's 14th-ranked junior, his decision to quit school aged 15 to focus on his tennis career seemed justified.