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ATP Finals: Roger Federer defends Alexander Zverev after German booed off court in London

Alexander Zverev denied Roger Federer of a 100th career win: AFP/Getty
Alexander Zverev denied Roger Federer of a 100th career win: AFP/Getty

Roger Federer has defended Alexander Zverez after the German was booed off court at the conclusion of the pair’s semi-final at the ATP Finals in London.

Zverev stopped play midpoint in the second-set tiebreak after a ball boy accidentally dropped a ball.

It meant the point was rightfully replayed, but Zverev, who had been on a second-serve, benefited from being able to retake his first with which he aced Federer before wrapping up a straight-sets victory.

The partisan crowd, suspecting gamesmanship, broke into a chorus of boos after Zverev won, forcing Annabel Croft to intervene and tell them to “be more respectful” as she conducted her post-match interview with the 21-year-old who was visibly upset.

The incident overshadowed one of Zverev’s standout victories (Reuters)
The incident overshadowed one of Zverev’s standout victories (Reuters)

Federer leapt to Zverev’s defence, assuring him that he’d done nothing wrong, despite the vehement reaction from spectators at the O2.

“Sascha [Zverev] doesn’t deserve it,” Federer said. “He apologised to me at the net. I was like, ‘Buddy, shut up. You don’t need to apologise to me here’.

“He shouldn’t be apologising. He didn’t do anything about it. He just called it how it was. He felt it affected play. There is a rule that if something like this happens, obviously you replay points.

“It’s a bold move by Sascha to stop the rally because the umpire can just say: ‘Sorry, buddy, you’re in the rally. I don’t care. You lost the point. I didn’t see it.’

“That’s where I just wanted to double-check with the umpire, what is the situation. But not for a second was there a sportsmanship situation there.

“Booing, I never like it,” Federer continued. “We see it in other sports all the time, but in tennis it’s rare. So when it happens, it gets very personal and we take it very direct.

Annabel Croft had to reprimand the crowd during her interview with Zverev (Getty)
Annabel Croft had to reprimand the crowd during her interview with Zverev (Getty)

“It’s all good. It’s all good. I hope he doesn’t have a sleepless night. It’s not a big deal at the end of the day. I’m definitely not mad at him.”

The incident overshadowed what was otherwise one of the best victories of Zverev’s career, and he admitted afterwards that it took him some time to compose his emotions.

“I was really upset afterwards in the locker room, I’m not going to lie. I had to take a few minutes for myself,” Zverev said.

“But, you know, I hope the crowd and the people who were booing maybe look at what actually happened, maybe just realise that I’ve maybe not done anything wrong.”