Roger Federer disliked the implication he’s slowing down.
When the 39-year-old Federer drew a time violation Thursday at the French Open for …
Roger Federer disliked the implication he’s slowing down. When the 39-year-old Federer drew a time violation Thursday at the French Open for not playing fast enough, he protested to the chair umpire and to his opponent, Marin Cilic. The warning in the second set came after Cilic twice complained to the chair that Federer wasn’t getting ready to receive serve quickly enough. “Marin, am I playing too slow?” Federer said. “I understand the rule. I’m going from one corner to the next trying to get my towel. I’m not doing it on purpose.” Federer, a 13-time winner of the ATP’s annual sportsmanship award, pointed out that he has played little since the coronavirus pandemic prompted changes in procedure between points, and players now fetch their own towels. The dispute delayed play for more than three minutes and seemed to unsettle Federer for the rest of the second set, but he regrouped and won,6-2,2-6,7-6 (4),6-2.
