'Little scary': Roger Federer 'rattled' amid strange crowd support
Roger Federer advanced in a hard-fought battle with home grown favourite Cameron Norrie at Wimbledon and fans couldn't help but notice the 'strange' atmosphere on Centre Court for the match.
Fans could see how much the victory meant to the 39-year-old Federer after the champion let out a rare roar with his hands raised following a 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Britain's No.29 seed Norrie on Saturday.
'A DISGRACE': Aussie in 'furious' on-court spat with controversial rival
'HEARTBREAKING': Kyrgios buries feud with rival after shock moment
'PHENOMENAL': Barty improves as Manic Monday awaits at Wimbledon
However, Federer's reaction could have also been a result of the unusual supporter dilemma that faced those in attendances.
Federer often revels in the vast majority of crowd support, regardless of who stands across him at the net.
But home grown talent Norrie has been in great form this year and a huge portion of the crowd were willing for their countryman to get over the line.
But it wasn't a decidedly home-court advantage for Norrie.
There were more "Come on, Roger!" cries from spectators, old and young, than there were pleas of "Come on, Cam!"
But in the fourth set, fans were getting behind their rallying countryman as he attempted a comeback.
The unusual crowd support, described as raucous and electric, prompted a mix of reactions as many felt Federer wouldn't be accustomed to plenty of opposition on Centre Court.
While others felt Federer was receiving plenty of support and the reaction from the crowd after the Swiss maestro's win showed their delight in his moment.
whenever crowd is partial it feels so strange😄
Also remember Federer always got 50/50 suport against Murray at Wimbly, imagine getting this much against their greatest ever player🙈
Today there are encouraging a Brit underdog, nothing more than that🤞— Arthur Dayne (@TheArthurDayne) July 3, 2021
Federer looking a bit rattled by the crowd being against him, or at least not for him.
— Jon Kennaugh (@jonkennaugh) July 3, 2021
On of the most rare things in tennis is an excited crowd cheering loudly for an opponent of Roger Federer... #Wimbledon
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) July 3, 2021
Strange atmosphere in the tennis, don’t think the crowd know who to support. They know they should be supporting Norrie but how can you not support Federer!🤷🏻♂️🎾 #WIMBLEDON @BBCSport #Federer #Norrie
— Jon Garethsen (@jonmod80) July 3, 2021
On of the most rare things in tennis is an excited crowd cheering loudly for an opponent of Roger Federer... #Wimbledon
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) July 3, 2021
That 3rd set between #Federer & #Norrie was a little scary. Fed had lost his concentration, Norrie capitalised on it with brilliant play, crowd cheered (a little irritatingly I feel) which further disturbed Fed’s comeback. 4th set Fed fought back at right time though. #Wimbledon
— Prasad B. Kulkarni (@pbkulkarni) July 3, 2021
Feels like a first in terms of so much crowd supporting someone other than big three at Wimbledon . Crazy support🔥 Federer has got this but wouldn’t it be interesting :)
— Akshay Moorthy (@akshay_moorthy) July 3, 2021
The atmosphere here in Center Court is absolutely electric! Definitely more of a Federer crowd than a Norrie crowd.
— Ethan Banks (@SREthanBanks) July 3, 2021
Like I said, Brits being so pro-Federer against Norrie is just ridiculous. Where's your patriotism now huh?#Wimbledon
— AmeliaS (@AmethystShining) July 3, 2021
#Federer gets the job done in 4 sets, 6-4 6-4 5-7 6-4 against the relentlessly competitive #Norrie. It was a very fine match👌, played at high pace and intensity, and amidst a raucously enthusiastic crowd (hardly any masks around at #Wimbledon )
Roger moves into R4 👍— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) July 3, 2021
Roger Federer finding form at Wimbledon
Federer, who had two operations on his right knee in 2020 and had played only eight matches this season until this week, considered Norrie a measuring stick for where his game now stands.
Federer, who turns 40 on August 8, is the oldest man to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall was 40 in 1975 but showed no signs of slowing down against Norrie.
"I thought I was extremely calm throughout the match. Maybe that's why I saved all the emotions for the very end of the match," said Federer.
"If I can beat somebody of his level, who's played well last week, who is playing at home, who's played a ton of matches. ... I know who I beat, you know what I mean?
"It's not just like a guy that can play good on the day. He's a good player."
Next will come Federer's 69th appearance in the fourth round at a major tournament.
On Monday, he plays No. 23 seed Lorenzo Sonego, a 26-year-old from Italy who has made it this far for the second time at a slam.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.