Even Roger Federer gets caught out by security at the Australian Open
Just hours before Roger Federer makes another appearance on Rod Laver Arena, the reigning champion has become the latest victim of the Australian Open’s security measures.
The 37-year-old Swiss great was making his way into the men’s locker room ahead of his clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday night when he was stopped at the door.
A security guard, doing his job properly, failed to spot an accreditation pass around Federer’s neck.
With no pass in his pocket, Federer was forced to wait for a member of his team to catch up and show off the necessary document.
It was all light-hearted, of course, with the guard sharing a laugh at the end of the exchange.
Even tennis fans around the world applauded the security guard for sticking to his processes:
Well, rules are rules @rogerfederer 😂 #AusOpen https://t.co/TKWo0lCjs3
— 5 Ace Sports (@5acesports) January 19, 2019
Rules are rules, even for the GOAT!!! Love how he patiently waits for his card to arrive 😉 https://t.co/aHJLnENViG
— Radhika Tongar (@radhikatongar) January 19, 2019
Can't blame him tho. He's just following the rules 😂 https://t.co/I87WogCFZz
— Kim (@kimborlogs) January 19, 2019
Good job for the security person, no one's exempted even if you are @rogerfederer 😂👍 https://t.co/ta50kqeDat
— Starlight_hye (@starlight_hye) January 19, 2019
The importance of following rules, EVEN FOR #FEDERER. Well done. #AusOpen https://t.co/3AXbIonerq
— Anuradha Sridhar (@anuradhasridhar) January 19, 2019
He's doing his job and he did very well!👍👏 https://t.co/7vj4ItgDV7
— 🌻マキ🌸 (@JOANNA0125) January 19, 2019
It does beg the question whether it’s all too much, with Federer the second high-profile player to be stopped in recent days.
On Wednesday, Maria Sharapova was stopped when her pass was hidden away as she walked through the corridors.
But at least the players make it easy…
Fighting fans kicked out of Melbourne Park
Two female spectators were escorted from the Australian Open by security after a squabble over the most absurd thing.
The two women were captured in a fiery tussle after Aryna Sabalenka’s win over Katie Boulter on Wednesday.
Video was posted of the strange scenes on social media, which were apparently sparked when Sabalenka threw her headband into the crowd.
Both women thought they’d caught the headband and refused to let go.
The stalemate lasted for a number of minutes, with one of the women trying to rip the headband from her rival’s grasp.
Fellow fans tried to mediate, but neither woman would budge.
They were reportedly taken out of the arena by security guards following a lengthy discussion.
But the best part might lie in the fact that neither woman ended up with the souvenir, with security confiscating the headband.