Roger Federer turns up to watch world No.204 who beat Novak Djokovic | Tennis | Sport
Roger Federer has been spotted in the stands at the Shanghai Masters. The retired tennis icon turned up to watch cousins Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot face off in Sunday’s final. It’s been a fairytale fortnight for the family – Vacherot was an alternate in qualifying when he landed, finally made it in the draw, and stormed through to become the lowest-ranked finalist in Masters 1000 history.
Ranked down at No. 204 in the world, Vacherot earned the biggest win of his career over Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s semi-final. And Rinderknech has been on an impressive run of his own, taking out four top-20 players, including world No. 3 Alexander Zverev.
Federer is sponsored by luxury watch brand Rolex, the naming sponsor of the tournament, and also became an ambassador for the Rolex Shanghai Masters a couple of years ago. The 20-time Major winner also watched last year’s final, which saw Jannik Sinner beat Djokovic.
And he’s back in the stadium this year for the unexpected final between Rinderknech and Vacherot. The Monegasque qualifier will certainly be happy to see Federer in the stands, as they’ve not crossed paths all week.
Speaking after he stunned an ailing Djokovic in the semi-finals, Vacherot said: “No, I haven’t got to. I didn’t cross him yet. I didn’t cross him yet. My girlfriend has seen him 10 times, I think, and me zero times. I don’t get it. Every time he’s not in the place where I am.”
Federer played his own celebrity doubles exhibition match at the Shanghai Masters on Friday evening, dubbed ‘Roger and friends’.
The former world No. 1 teamed up with filmmaker Donnie Yen, and they took on ex-WTA No. 15 Zheng Jie, and actor Wu Lei. Federer and Yen won 5-7 10-8 7-1.
He was back in the house for Sunday’s final, and there were loud cheers around the stadium as Federer was shown applauding a thrilling first point.
“Looking like a rockstar in the front row, it’s like James Bond has turned up!” Colin Fleming said on Sky Sports.
Last year, Federer sat alongside Carlos Alcaraz and the Spaniard’s coach, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, to watch Sinner take on Djokovic in the championship match. And he caught both of their eyes.
During his runner-up speech, Djokovic said: “It’s nice to see Roger, I’m not used to seeing you on the stands I wish you were here on the court playing with us but it’s probably the first time that I’m playing in front of you so I had an added pressure today but no it’s great, thanks for being here.”
Sinner also felt the pressure as he lifted the trophy in front of Federer, Alcaraz and Ferrero. “There are three legends and I played against one legend so I see legends everywhere. I just try to keep up,” he laughed.
