Zurich, Switzerland – The tennis world is in shock as newly surfaced footage shows Roger Federer, widely regarded as one of the sport’s most composed and graceful athletes, in a rare on-court meltdown during a private exhibition match in 2019.
The video, which mysteriously appeared on social media late Monday night, shows Federer slamming his racquet, shouting at the chair umpire, and exchanging heated words with a line judge after a disputed call. Within hours, the footage racked up over 12 million views, igniting fierce debates across fan forums and sports media platforms.
“This isn’t the Federer we know,” said tennis analyst Marc Delcourt. “He’s built a brand around elegance, humility, and sportsmanship. This clip completely flips that narrative.”
Fans are divided. Some are calling the outburst “a human moment” in a high-stakes sport, while others accuse Federer of hypocrisy, pointing to his past criticisms of players like Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic for similar behavior.
Adding to the drama, the ATP has confirmed it was aware of the incident but chose not to publicize it due to the non-official nature of the match. Critics are now questioning whether Federer received preferential treatment.
Neither Federer nor his management team has released a statement. However, sources close to the former World No. 1 suggest he’s “deeply embarrassed” by the resurfaced footage and is considering a public apology.
As the tennis community reels from the revelation, one thing is certain: the flawless image of Roger Federer may never be the same.
