Federer Fumes as Selfie-Seeker Storms Court

'This should never happen,' snipes tennis great after French Open breach
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 24, 2015 10:34 AM CDT
Federer Fumes as Selfie-Seeker Storms Court
Roger Federer returns in the first round match of the French Open against Colombia's Alejandro Falla at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Sunday, May 24, 2015.   (David Vincent)

Roger Federer is fuming that a kid got on center court to snap selfies with him at the French Open and is demanding better security. "This should never happen on the Philippe Chatrier court," the 2009 French Open champion said. "I'm not happy about it. Obviously not one second I'm happy about it." The teenage-looking 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 with his mobile phone as Federer was walking off court from his first-round victory. "It's true for all players that you have to feel safe when we play, feel safe on the courts," Federer said.

The normally calm Swiss player says tournament director Gilbert Ysern quickly apologized. Ysern was also seen speaking to Federer's wife in the players' lounge. "It shouldn't happen too often," said Federer. "It's happened twice in two days." He said several kids also approached him yesterday during practice: "There was one who arrived and then followed by five kids. Nobody reacted in terms of safety, you know, security." He spoke scathingly of security guards who took several seconds today to react, with one of them eventually steering the boy away. "You know, it's not just being there, standing there on the courts wearing a nice tie and suit. It's not that funny, you know," he said. "I hope that there is going to be a reaction from the tournament." (More Roger Federer stories.)

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