Roger Federer.Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Uniqlo
Roger Federeris clearing the air regarding a confrontation he had with a chair umpire at the2021 French Open.
During his Thursday match againstMarin Cilic— which Federer won 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 [4], 6-2 — the professional tennis player, 39, got into what appeared to be a heated exchange with the umpire, who gave him a time violation for taking too much time between points.
According toCNN, Federer was also seen speaking with his opponent at the net, seemingly about the violation.
Federer said after the match that he “didn’t feel like [he] was playing particularly slow,” CNN reported. “I always feel like I don’t make my opponent wait very much, but clearly Marin wanted to go faster. I didn’t realize that.”
“I just feel like it was a misunderstanding on many levels. I didn’t understand it and figure it out, and I guess I’m just new to the new tour,” he added. “It was quite interesting to live through it. Got a little energy into the match, which I liked.”
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Roger Federer and a chair umpire at the 2021 French Open.Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Roger Federer at the 2021 French Open.John Berry/Getty Images
Federer’s French Open appearance marks a big milestone for the Swiss athlete, who underwent two surgeries on his right knee in early 2020 andwithdrew from both the 2021 Australian Openand2021 Miami Openearlier this year.
“I thought for a long time when and where I should come back,” Federer told a Swedish news outlet in February, according to theATP Tour. “[The Australian Open] was still a bit too early because of my knee.”
“Iwant to celebrate big victories once again,” he added. “And for that, I am ready to go the long, hard way.”
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Federer’s incident at the French Open came three days after fellow competitorNaomi Osakawithdrew from competition,citing mental health aftershe declined to attend the mandatory post-match press events and was fined $15,000. (Petra Kvitováalso announced her withdrawalthe following day, due to an ankle injury.)
“This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris,” wrote Osaka, 23,on social media.
“I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer,” she added. “More importantly, I would never trivializemental healthor use the term lightly.”
Ahead of the tennis tournament’s start, Osaka announced shewouldn’t be doing press during the championshipin an effort to preserve her mental health. On Sunday, Osaka picked up her first winand a $15,000 fine fornot participating in media requirements.
source: people.com
