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.