Federer fumes over Aus Open umpire's 'bad conscience'
Roger Federer has voiced his disapproval with chair umpire James Keothavong after a dramatic first game against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night.
Serving first in the fourth-round meeting inside Rod Laver Arena, Tsitsipas earned the ire of the umpire when he took longer than the 25-second limit on multiple occasions.
Warned once, the 14th seed was pinged again, docked a first serve and subsequently double-faulted, but the scenes grew more bizarre just a minute later.
With Federer holding advantage in a deuce, a Tsitsipas serve was called out and immediately challenged by the Greek youngster.
When Hawkeye determined the serve was good the point was given to Tsitsipas – angering Federer, who thought it should have been replayed.
“(My return is) in the whole movement, what do you want me to tell you?” the Swiss told Keothavong before levelling a surprising accusation.
“I think you have a bad conscience for giving the guy two warnings. That’s why you’re doing this.”
Tsitsipas went on to hold serve as both players looked to move on from the incident.
Former Australian player Sam Groth believed the umpire was in the wrong.
“I can actually understand Federer being unhappy. I thought that was actually the wrong call,” he said on Channel Nine.
Keothavong continued to baffle viewers throughout the first set, including American tennis great John McEnroe.
“Keothavong is struggling so far, early in this match, unlike the players,” McEnroe said later.
Well this is a feisty 1st game. Tsitsipas loses a first serve for his second time violation, then double faults. Challenges his next serve, which was wrongly called out. Federer argues that it should be replayed as he had a play on it. Umpire disagrees. And then Tsitsipas holds.
— Nikhila (@kokudum) January 20, 2019
Federer is right though. He had a play on the Tsitsipas serve and should’ve been given a replay on the point. #ausopen
— Julie (@dootsiez) January 20, 2019
😂😂😂 #Federer spot on with the sympathy call. Should have been a first serve. Tough opening game for Keothavong! #AusOpen
— James Watson (@sportsphere) January 20, 2019
Wow. Federer really can do and say whatever he wants on a tennis court 😂. Checking umpires left and right.
— Meless (@Many_Myles_Away) January 20, 2019
Fiery enough start – Roger not happy with James Keothavong’s decision on the challenge.
— James Reidy (@james_reidy) January 20, 2019
I think they've already annexed James Keothavong. https://t.co/UvWb8AHXai
— Wilfy (@whitelinefervor) January 20, 2019