Roger Federer on his rare code violation: The umpire knows me very well apparently
It was a night to forget for Roger Federer at his 2018 ATP Finals opener as he lost to Kei Nishikori and was handed a code violation.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner suffered a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 defeat, his first-ever straight-sets loss in round-robin stage at the season-ending tournament.
He was also given a rare code violation for racket abuse by chair umpire Damian Steiner at the end of the first set after he smashed the ball into the crowd.
Federer then had an exchange with the Argentine official and could be heard saying: “I’m not talking to you anymore” adding “we don’t understand each other today.”
The 37-year-old was asked about the incident after the match and explained: “I asked him what was his argument – why the warning? Nothing more than that.
“He thought I was angry. I wasn’t. Now I’m angry because I lost, but… He knows me very well apparently, or he thought so.”
More from Tennis365:
Comment: Roger Federer’s lack of excuses suggest he is closer to the end that we feared
Five key questions ahead of ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with stories at stake
Judy Murray on why she thinks more female role models need to jump into the world of tennis coaching
EXCLUSIVE: Judy Murray urges tennis to shed its elitist tag and open its doors to the masses
Analysis: Rafael Nadal has surely disappointed in 2018 despite clay season brilliance
Top 10: Things that have happened on the ATP Tour since Novak Djokovic last finished year as No 1