A fuming Roger Federer showed big disrespect to the chair umpire in Indian Wells saying, “I don’t care about your judgement, I disagree”
Follow Us
Roger Federer
Roger Federer showing disrespect and arguing with the chair umpire is a rare occasion in tennis. However, one such incident happened at the 2013 Indian Wells Masters when he was competing against compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round. Having split the first two sets, the third set was all to play for and every point mattered.
However, a controversial call had Federer beside the chair umpire Fergus Murphy‘s stand. With Federer’s serve going out, Wawrinka returned the shot which was taken on the volley by Federer but hit at the net as the umpire called out on the serve. Federer wanted to challenge the call but the umpire refused to allow it.
“Stop playing? As it’s coming back as I’m serving and volleying,” asked Federer to which the chair umpire replied, “That’s too many shots Roger I can’t allow it.” Federer went sarcastic and said, “Too many shots what? I’m playing two shots? One shot I played,” for which Murphy had a reply ready saying, “It’s one shot too many, I can’t allow a challenge in that case.”
Roger Federer demanded the linesman be called ignoring the chair umpire’s call
Federer then threw a tantrum and asked for the linesman to be brought in to which Murphy said, “It’s a judgement call,” to which Federer abruptly cut and said, “I don’t care about your judgement, I want to speak to the linesman, I disagree. It happened all so quick, so how can I challenge my own call.” Murphy retorted saying, “I understand,” to which Federer was quick to say, “You don’t understand.”
As the chair umpire continued explaining the situation, Federer then asked, “If it goes in, I can challenge and just because I missed, I can’t? What are you talking about?” Murphy was then left with no choice but to call the linesman on the court at the tournament and end the matter once and for all.
The linesman was then briefed by Murphy on the entire situation which was interrupted by Federer saying, “I had a half a split second to challenge you saw it.” But to Federer’s misery, the linesman was clear and precise saying, “When it comes to a challenge, it’s his decision. I cannot change it. It’s a fact.”
Federer was then broken on his serve and kept on speaking with the chair umpire over the call. Eventually, it was he who would advance to the quarter-finals as Wawrinka could not capitalise on the early break and Federer won the 3rd set 7-5 to show the exit to his countryman before losing to Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
Also Read: Taylor Fritz opens up about his dream milestone of making it into the Top 10
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)