“Novak would’ve been castrated if he said even 10% of these words!” – Roger Federer’s SALTY press conference after losing to Novak Djokovic in 2011 US Open semifinal goes viral following Nole’s cold altercation with Ben Shelton
Fans react to Roger Federer's old interview.
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Novak Djokovic (L) and Roger Federer (R) (Credits: DailyMail and EuroSport)
Novak Djokovic beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance to his 10th US Open final and 36th Major final. A year after being unable to travel to the US due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19, the Serb is one win away from a fourth Flushing Meadows trophy and his 24th Grand Slam title overall.
Following the match, Djokovic drew everyone’s attention with a phone-hanging gesture, something Shelton had done several times in the previous fortnight. The tennis world is buzzing after Djokovic imitated Ben Shelton’s celebration after winning the US Open semifinal. Following a slew of positive fan comments, other players have also taken notice.
Social media was taken by a storm because of the gesture. Fans have had mixed reactions to the action. Amid these reactions, an old video of Roger Federer has resurfaced. The video is a post-match conference of the former World No.1 talking about his defeat to the Serbian ace Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer was unable to comprehend the uncanny repetition of defeat against Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals of 2011.
When asked about Djokovic’s incredible forehand winner to save match point, Federer said the Serb didn’t look at the point like someone “who believes much anymore in winning. To lose against someone like that, it’s very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already. Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go.”
Federer was hesitant to give him credit for his bravery in a crisis, preferring to dismiss it as desperate. He was reported as stating that certain players may have grown up that way and play that way when they are up 5-2 in the third. They all just start slamming shots at each other. He went on to say that he will never play that manner ever. He believes that hard work pays off, and he finds it difficult to understand players that play that way.
Fans react to the viral interview of Roger Federer
Tennis fans are shocked and outraged by Federer’s unsportsmanlike behavior toward Djokovic and how no one ever called him out for it before. Everyone has always thought of the Swiss as the ideal of gentlemanly and sportsmanlike behavior.
His old footage demonstrates that his judgment of the World No.2 was harsh. Tennis fans believe that if Djokovic had said something similar, he would have been castrated. Here are some reactions of the fans to the situation
Second seed Novak Djokovic will square off against third seed Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open final on Sunday.
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Tanisha Kapoor
(160 Articles Published)