Bizarre fan theory to ruin Federer's Wimbledon campaign?
Roger Federer is shooting for an unprecedented eighth Wimbledon title, but a number of fans have a strange theory as to why he won't win.
After a two-month break from the ATP tour to rest up for Wimbledon, Federer is back in action at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart this week.
He hit the practice court on Tuesday and spoke to the media, and fans noticed something markedly different about him.
The World No.5 is sporting a much shorter hair cut than we've previously seen, and his legion of fans are in somewhat of a tizz about it.
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Long-gone is the pony tail from the early days of his career, but we've never really seen his hair this short.
Fans have flocked to social media with some wide-ranging reactions:
Summer hair style for Roger #Federer! 💇♂️ pic.twitter.com/oXiBENUEoD
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) June 12, 2017
So,Finally he is back,with a
New Hair Style🤵,New Look🕺,New Strategy💪
Hope to see him Winning @Wimbledon 😎
Good luck @rogerfederer 😘😍😘 pic.twitter.com/b80xAWRDwW— Maderer Of Federer (@federerbestfan) June 12, 2017
I don't know about the hair, but @rogerfederer gorgeous with hair or without hair, long or short hair, with curls or without them pic.twitter.com/nEVzaldzHd
— No Federer♥No Tennis (@SoyFederista) June 12, 2017
STOP EVERYTHING!@rogerfederer has a new look! 😍👌🏼
Hair of the Week contender on #913SportsChat (@913sportfm) tonight @jwal032? #Federer pic.twitter.com/BVVBrsUQt1— Emma Payne (@emmapaynes) June 13, 2017
While the hair was generally received well, some fans are not happy:
Me trying to stan Federer with that hair pic.twitter.com/Mlz3bq3fDQ
— Séan (@TheGenieInsider) June 11, 2017
what the Hell happened to Federer's hair?
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) June 12, 2017
One even joked that he'd lost his hair watching Rafael Nadal's incredible form:
Federer's hair after watching that forehand from nadal pic.twitter.com/nEbtO55f7q
— Stodosova's Biceps (@SamsBiceps) June 11, 2017
However a strange conspiracy theory has been put forward by a number of punters, who believe Federer's short hair will see his form decline.
Federer also sported short hair back in 2013 when he suffered a shock second-round loss to world No.116 Sergiy Stakhovsky.
Let remind you that Roger Federer had short hair back in 2013 as well..#shorthairdontcare pic.twitter.com/jmNHk4AgPV
— Dimichard_Fanpage (@Dimichard_) June 11, 2017
Federer short hair means he's gonna lose early at Wimbledon
— Chucky Pancamo (@JCourier1) June 12, 2017
Every time Federer's hair has been this short, he plays awfully. Flowing locks=win. #Science
— Bob Danielson (@CGBtennis) June 11, 2017
that hair cut has been a jinx both in 2013 and 2016 let's hope it doesn't become a thing.
— Michael Daoud (@federer___) June 11, 2017
So will Federer's haircut have a Samson effect and rob him of his power? Only time will tell.
The former world No.1 says he's eager to get back to competition after a 10-week layoff.
"There are no more breaks now," he told the ATP's official website.
"I've had enough breaks. I'm a practice world champion now and that's not who I want to be. I want to be a champ on the match courts.
"So I'm going to be playing a regular schedule for the second part of the season. And, this is the beginning here at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart."