Federer had just won a routine first-round match when the teen took to Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros and wanted to snap a picture of himself with the 17-time Grand Slam champion.
The tennis superstar appeared startled at first and was about to comply with the photo request when security finally came on the scene and hauled the offender away.
“I’m not happy about it. Obviously not one second I’m happy about it. It happened yesterday in the practice, too,” Federer said.
“It’s just a kid, but then three more kids came. And today on center court where you would think this is a place where nobody can come on, he just wanders on and nothing happens.”
It was an eerie repetition of the 2009 final when another fan lept from the stands on the same court to plant a hat on the head of the Swiss star. Four years later, the men’s final between another of the sport’s A-listers, Rafael Nadal, the nine-time champion, and David Ferrer was suspended as flare-carrying protestors were chased away.
And the huge security lapse comes two decades after the on-court stabbing of tennis star Monica Seles in Hamburg by a deranged fan.
”He (Federer) was pissed off with what happened,” admitted tournament director Gilbert Ysern.
“To some extent it’s not the end of the world, but it’s embarrassing, of course, for Roland Garros.
“It shows that we collectively as an organization made a mistake and we will have to correct that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Federer referenced his 2009 encounter with a fan during the French Open final.
“It happened during the finals in ’09 as well for me. So I definitely think this is something that something needs to happen quickly. Basically yesterday already,” he said.
“Normally I only speak on behalf of myself, but in this situation I think I can speak on behalf of all the players, that that’s where you do your job, that’s where you want to feel safe. And so clearly I’m not happy about it.”
He added: “But nothing happened, so I’m relieved. But clearly it wasn’t a nice situation to be in.”
nypost.com
Only in France *shakes head*.
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