Federer and the "Selfie" Kid.

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
These players today are so insulated by borderline mafia groups you can barely get any autograph or pictures with them. You do what you gotta do to get a selfie.

When I was at flushing watching Nadal on the practice some few years back, the minute he was done practicing, 50 of his entourage surround him an hustle him off the practice court
Typical @90's Clay. One data point defines his little world.

Nadal and Fed sign more autographs in one day than Sampras did in a career.

Ah, the French. Forget the Seles attack, after their terror incidents earlier this year you'd think they'd have things completely under control. Oh, well.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Federer was MAD. because this is the same place where Monica Seles was stabbed. and Rolland garros security is very very poor
 
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Deleted member 734136

Guest
I don't know if something like this happened to you guys....

A few years ago after i won a motocross race, (there was a big crowd because some big riders were there to race a few hours later), i was doing my parade lap, and i see this guy (he was wasted), running on the track, so i stopped, and he comes running towards me because "he wanted to give me a hug", but what happened is that he just didn't stop and pushed me on ground with my bike on top of me, and it scared the s**t out of me.

And that guy didn't even know who i was, so i can't even imagine what it would be for a famous person like Roger, who already knows what crazy fans can do.
 
I agree that a lot of pro athletes, in certain circumstances, should become more approachable or available to their fans to a certain extent. The point is once a player is on the court (practice or match) it doesn't matter if it's a 6 year old kid or Mickey Mouse running out on the court, they shouldn't even get the chance to even touch a player let alone have the time to take a selfie with them. Fed was annoyed more so at the clown security not the dumb kid.

They shouldn't-you pay your money & you have the right to sit in the stands & cheer/boo whoever you want, but you have zero right to come over the barrier. However we live in the real world rather than ideal world & more than ever people want their five seconds of fame-whether it be this inane selfie craze or running on to make some political protest it is going to happen.

There is only so much security you can employ & position & it isn't going to be able to cope with a crowd of that size-unless you have guards standing next to the line judges & by the umpire chair which isn't really going to work then you are never going to be able to prevent a determined person who is quick getting to the player.
 
One time in Rotterdam, Esther Vergeer (Dutch wheelchair champion) wanted Rafa to play in a wheelchair with her, but he declined and didn't want to get in the wheelchair.

Here's the video, it's in Dutch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVJVjI0fxX0

Well it would be kind of silly because I am sure Rafa would have no ability to control a wheelchair while playing tennis. He should have given her a big kiss though seeing how attractive she is.
 
Does Federer qualify as a "victim" yet?

Andrew Castle is lining him up as we speak.

ac-header.jpg
 
Wow, was that guy actually attacking Federer?! :shock:

Not really-he was just there to make a political statement & obviously Fed is going to get a lot more press than his opponent Soderling. He basically got in his face & then rubbed his head with a towel. The problem was it seemed to go on for an eternity until security arrived.
 
I mean, would you feel safe if random people showed up at your office or cubicle?

Get a perspective.

Well people who work in retail have to deal with random people all day every day, often verbally hostile & never knowing if they are armed with a knife or another sharp object & they do that for a minimum wage-kind of puts into perspective a bunch of mufti-millionaires crying because some child runs on wanting a selfie or some idiot making a protest.
 

jg153040

G.O.A.T.
Terrible logic. It wasn't a "one time incident" in the history of the world where a crazy person went after someone. John Lennon was shot by an insane person. It doesn't matter that Federer isn't a "head of state" as he's one of the most famous people on the planet. As such, there's a chance that a crazy person could fixate on him and try do something harmful. Besides, we want to avoid future incidents--that's the idea here.

Who are you, anonymously sitting behind a computer, to tell someone how he should react in a situation like that?

That's right, Federer isn't a head of state. He is much better than any politician.
 

rossi46

Professional
The French maybe are of the opinion that security shouldn't be taken too seriously as the overwhelming majority of French people are normal or sane unlike the nation which tries to convince the world that they are the greatest with God on their side.
 

Big_Dangerous

Talk Tennis Guru
The French maybe are of the opinion that security shouldn't be taken too seriously as the overwhelming majority of French people are normal or sane unlike the nation which tries to convince the world that they are the greatest with God on their side.

The same French that needed the United to completely bail them out in World War 2.

You're welcome, k thanks bye!
 

chjtennis

G.O.A.T.
The French maybe are of the opinion that security shouldn't be taken too seriously as the overwhelming majority of French people are normal or sane unlike the nation which tries to convince the world that they are the greatest with God on their side.

After what happened earlier this year?
 

rossi46

Professional
The same French that needed the United to completely bail them out in World War 2.

You're welcome, k thanks bye!

Nothing to do with how safe a country is. How many schools in France have metal detectors ?? Perfectly safe to go to a cinema in France.
 

rossi46

Professional
After what happened earlier this year?

One incident. In the U.S. of A you have shootings on a weekly basis in schools, universities, cinemas etc. by people who think they are action heros or batman and so on. Acts of organised terrorism can occur in any country.
 
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Deleted member 734136

Guest
Come on rossi46, don't get defensive.

RG has a security problem, and that's a fact unfortunately, there's no need to turn this into France vs USA like you're trying to do.
 

jelle v

Hall of Fame
Totally agree but it's just not like him - he seemed VERY angry and his reaction doesn't really match up to the situation.

I would thought he would just smile, do the selfie and then give out
about it after.

But if he would do that.. where would it end? Precedent has been set and more and more people would feel no obstacle whatsoever to go on court after a match to get a selfie with any tennis player.

Although there is no harm in this particular "incident", there would be a major negative effect if it were allowed. You've got to look at the bigger picture here in my opinion.
 

tacou

G.O.A.T.
The French maybe are of the opinion that security shouldn't be taken too seriously as the overwhelming majority of French people are normal or sane unlike the nation which tries to convince the world that they are the greatest with God on their side.

This is dumb on so many levels. First of all Fed isn't an American, so what does that comment have to do with ANYthing?

Second, the FO is an international event. Not just French people attend. Plus, what right do we, as tennis fans, have to simply stroll on to Philip Chatrier? Many talented players go their entire careers without an opportunity to play on one of the four big courts, but a spoiled child with a cell phone can go out there and demand an adult take a photo with him?

Finally, if France as a nation has decided security at major sporting events/public gatherings/etc. is unnecessary, they should make a public announcement regarding the fact. I assume the results would be less than positive

deluuusions
 

snvplayer

Hall of Fame
Well people who work in retail have to deal with random people all day every day, often verbally hostile & never knowing if they are armed with a knife or another sharp object & they do that for a minimum wage-kind of puts into perspective a bunch of mufti-millionaires crying because some child runs on wanting a selfie or some idiot making a protest.

No it doesn't. Safety and security are always and should be a priority regardless of wages and type of occupation. Sure, some occupations are at higher risk in which case higher level of prevention measures are implemented.

Do you think retail people feel vulnerable and unsafe interacting with customers? Probably not.

The key issue is that a person could approach a tennis player when the player is at vulnerable position.
 

snvplayer

Hall of Fame
Why did Fed react so angrily? Didn't think he would be like that. It was only a kid!

I thought he didn't express his anger toward the child. He just didn't respond to the kid much at all, even sort of paused instead of blowing by the kid.

The thing is if Federer agreed to the kid's request, he's signaling that it is accepted and Ok to jump into the court. What about the next kid, and the kid after?
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
You mean Russia I guess. All the United did was come and pose for the photographs

You ever hear of Normandy? No selfies or Russians to be seen.
U.S.A won both world wars, with marginal help from its allies.

The "selfie" kid was probably let on court by security... who got a nice bribe by selfie kids daddy. Fed should have taken the punk down, as he obviously felt threatened. Better safe than sorry.
 
No it doesn't. Safety and security are always and should be a priority regardless of wages and type of occupation. Sure, some occupations are at higher risk in which case higher level of prevention measures are implemented.

Do you think retail people feel vulnerable and unsafe interacting with customers? Probably not.

The key issue is that a person could approach a tennis player when the player is at vulnerable position.

Very, I used to work in a shop for 8 years & encountered drunks, druggies, shoplifters & mentally ill people on a daily basis. Threats were made against me & indeed every member of staff there by some of them & even when not their behaviour was often threatening/intimidating.

One time a guy was nicked by the cops for stealing stuff from our shop & other shops & they found a hatchet on him-I doubt he was carrying it for fun so who knows what he would have done if noticed & challenged? My wage was about £130 a week.

I would swap that for having $300 million in the bank playing tennis & having marketing deals & in a 17 year career having some super fan come on the court looking for a selfie & some cretin rubbing my head with a a towel in a heartbeat.
 

Big_Dangerous

Talk Tennis Guru
You ever hear of Normandy? No selfies or Russians to be seen.
U.S.A won both world wars, with marginal help from its allies.

The "selfie" kid was probably let on court by security... who got a nice bribe by selfie kids daddy. Fed should have taken the punk down, as he obviously felt threatened. Better safe than sorry.

Well he's Swiss. What do you expect?

:lol:
 
O

OhYes

Guest
Fed should be scared, I mean there a lot of examples where players are just sitting ducks waiting to see what are real intentions of fan, protester, intruder of match.
What would you think, for an example, if you see a guy with a mask and a torch running in the central court ? Would you hug him ?
https://youtu.be/6AKMgLi6Gvs?t=91
 
Fed should be scared, I mean there a lot of examples where players are just sitting ducks waiting to see what are real intentions of fan, protester, intruder of match.
What would you think, for an example, if you see a guy with a mask and a torch running in the central court ? Would you hug him ?
https://youtu.be/6AKMgLi6Gvs?t=91

Security were quick off the mark there-maybe Roger is seen as less vital than the king of RG no?
 

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Fed should be scared, I mean there a lot of examples where players are just sitting ducks waiting to see what are real intentions of fan, protester, intruder of match.
What would you think, for an example, if you see a guy with a mask and a torch running in the central court ? Would you hug him ?
https://youtu.be/6AKMgLi6Gvs?t=91

Wow. Never seen that one before. Nadal made a tactical blunder in actually running towards the flamer. Luckily he had security maneuver him out of the way in time.
 

G A S

Hall of Fame
Very, I used to work in a shop for 8 years & encountered drunks, druggies, shoplifters & mentally ill people on a daily basis. Threats were made against me & indeed every member of staff there by some of them & even when not their behaviour was often threatening/intimidating.

One time a guy was nicked by the cops for stealing stuff from our shop & other shops & they found a hatchet on him-I doubt he was carrying it for fun so who knows what he would have done if noticed & challenged? My wage was about £130 a week.

I would swap that for having $300 million in the bank playing tennis & having marketing deals & in a 17 year career having some super fan come on the court looking for a selfie & some cretin rubbing my head with a a towel in a heartbeat.

it depends where you live... do you live in europe? the continent that severely restricts gun ownership? surely the cops should already have cleaned the neighborhoods for the retailers to feel safe?
 

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
Fed allowed the kid to take a few pictures and the kid kept following him and got even closer. Fed should have punched the little fu@#er in the face.
 

tipsa...don'tlikehim!

Talk Tennis Guru
I thought he didn't express his anger toward the child. He just didn't respond to the kid much at all, even sort of paused instead of blowing by the kid.

The thing is if Federer agreed to the kid's request, he's signaling that it is accepted and Ok to jump into the court. What about the next kid, and the kid after?
Federer said to the kid "you should not be here"
then security deleted the photo
 
O

OhYes

Guest
Security were quick off the mark there-maybe Roger is seen as less vital than the king of RG no?
Roger was taken by surprise by a teen who didn't have a torch in his hand and a mask :p
Wow. Never seen that one before. Nadal made a tactical blunder in actually running towards the flamer. Luckily he had security maneuver him out of the way in time.
Nadal just wanted to run towards only exit he had there. Imagine he ran toward Ferrer :)
 

tipsa...don'tlikehim!

Talk Tennis Guru
Roger was taken by surprise by a teen who didn't have a torch in his hand and a mask :p

Nadal just wanted to run towards only exit he had there. Imagine he ran toward Ferrer :)

nope what nadal said afterwards is he ran towards the ball boy in case the crazy man wanted to harm the kid
 
O

OhYes

Guest
well that's what nadal said - not me

In that case, that Nadal is funnier character than you. :) I know I would be scared stiff, and him running away from trouble is not act of coward. Don't know why would he have to made up story of knight in shiny armor :shock:
 
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tipsa...don'tlikehim!

Talk Tennis Guru
well on the video if you watched it, he's not running away at all, he's running to the same direction as the crazy man
he just stands in front of the ball boy
not sure what is funny about that
 
it depends where you live... do you live in europe? the continent that severely restricts gun ownership? surely the cops should already have cleaned the neighborhoods for the retailers to feel safe?

England & thank goodness guns are heavily restricted here-knife crime is bad enough here without people running round with guns.
 
O

OhYes

Guest
well on the video if you watched it, he's not running away at all, he's running to the same direction as the crazy man
he just stands in front of the ball boy
not sure what is funny about that

Yep, and he carries his racket as a sword & shield, just in case. :)
 

Gazelle

G.O.A.T.
Good reaction from Fed. The lion doesn't mix with the sheep, at least when the sheep is on forbidden territory.
 

G A S

Hall of Fame
England & thank goodness guns are heavily restricted here-knife crime is bad enough here without people running round with guns.

england biggest problem has got to be the lenient sentences, physical offenses get a slap in the wrist at most.
 
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