Roger Federer has a narrow escape as crazed fan accosts him at French Open (with You Tube link)

Daily Mail UK ^ | 1:26 AM on 08th June 2009 | By Daily Mail Reporter

[rawhide]

Roger Federer was left shaken yesterday when a crazed intruder raced on to the court and brandished a flag in his face while attempting to put a cap on his head at the start of the second set of the French Open men's final.

The man leapt over the barriers at the side of the court and ran straight for Federer, with security officials nowhere to be seen.

As security finally arrived, the intruder turned around and jumped over the net before being rugby-tackled and escorted away.

You Tube video of the incident and tackle by security at link:

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

WTF. If I were Federer, I would have split that guys skull with the racket before he got anywhere near close enough to stick me with a knife hidden in that flag.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

[paul51]

would have liked to see the security cave the guys face in on the clay. I admire Roger’s restraint although I would never let some nut case get that close.

[Travis McGee]

Amen. He should have laid him out with a racket edge forehand smash to the head.

[Hildy]

I would never let some nut case get that close.

How on EARTH do you know what you would do under a similar situation? You have no idea.

[Hildy]

I would never let some nut case get that close.

How on EARTH do you know what you would do under a similar situation? You have no idea.

[Travis McGee]

Second point, spurred by your “hidden in the flag” remark. That’s exactly how the matador hides his sword, that he uses to kill the bull.

[Travis McGee]

Experience. That’s how we know. It’s not academic or hypothetical to some of us.

[Hildy]

So..you have experience as a tennis player in a stadium with thousands of people watching as a man comes running towards you? Just wondering.

[Travis McGee]

No, I have experience with crazy people attacking me unexpectedly in public places. And I know I didn't let them put a crazy hat on me, while waving a giant flag.

Hildy, YOU might not know how you would react, but don't project your own indecision, fecklessness and hopelessness upon those of us who DO know how we react under those circumstances.

Based on experience.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Exactly. I wasn't saying that the nutcase actually had a knife. But if I were in Federer’s tennis shoes, I wouldn't take that chance. I think with what happened to Monica Seles, no jury would find him guilty.

[xp38]

with security officials nowhere to be seen.

Hellooooooo Monica Seles...1993 ring a bell?

[Travis McGee]

I know these athletes are very tightly focused on the match, but his lack of response was almost pathetic. He did almost everything wrong, at one point turning his back etc. If the crazy man had hidden a small matador’s sword under that banner, and used the hat as a diversion, we could easily be reading about the on-court murder of Federer tonight.

[paul51]

I don't know about you but if there is anything I am very clear on, it is not letting crazy people than can cause me harm get too close. I don't need much prep time or reaction time to weigh that one out. If that weirdo were rushing me, that racket would have been in his chest or throat instinctively keeping him away.

[phredo53]

When he tried to put the hat on Rogers’ head the fan left his groin unprotected. Roger could’ve ended it right there. Tennis balls aren’t the only kind that can be smashed with a racket.