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'Unsportsmanlike': Tennis world erupts after 'ridiculous' Roger Federer violation

Roger Federer looks dejected against Alexander Zverev.
Roger Federer was deducted a point for "unsportsmanlike" conduct against Alexander Zverev. (Getty Images)

The tennis world has been left gobsmacked after Roger Federer was docked a point for “unsportsmanlike” conduct during his quarter-final loss to Alexander Zverev.

Federer saved five match points in his 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3 loss to German Zverev in an instant and fiery classic at the Shanghai Masters.

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The 20-time Grand Slam champion lost his cool on a few occasions, but it was the chair umpires monumental call to dock the Swiss maestro a point that had the crowd gasping.

The 38-year-old was deducted a point at 3-0 down in the deciding set when discarded a ball that dropped into the crowd.

This followed a ball abuse code violation at the back end of the first set.

‘Unsportsmanlike conduct, point penalty, Mr Federer,” the umpire said, which drew gasps from the crowd.

Federer argued with the umpire that there was no force in the shot and it was harmless.

But the umpire claimed Federer hit the ball out of the court and it was the action itself that forced a point penalty.

Fans on social media couldn’t believe the rare sight.

Zverev joined Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last four after he defeated Novak Djokokic in the same round.