Roger Federer blasts French Open organisers after 'selfie attack'
Swiss tennis ace demands better security after teenage boy confronts him on court at end of first-round match
Roger Federer slammed French Open organisers, demanding better security, after a teenager got on centre court on Sunday to snap selfies with him.
“This should never happen on the Philippe Chatrier court,” the 2009 French Open tennis champion said. “I’m not happy about it. Obviously not one second I’m happy about it.”
This should never happen on the Philippe Chatrier court. I’m not happy about it. Obviously not one second I’m happy about it
The normally calm Swiss said tournament boss Gilbert Ysern quickly apologised and Ysern was also seen speaking to Federer’s wife in the players’ lounge.
Federer began his 62nd consecutive grand slam with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Colombian “lucky loser” Alejandro Falla.
But at the end of the match, a teenage boy ran onto the clay court, put a hand on the 17-time grand slam champion’s shoulder and tried to snap photos of them together with his mobile phone.
“It’s true for all players that you have to feel safe when we play, feel safe on the courts,” Federer said. “It shouldn’t happen too often. It’s happened twice in two days.”
