French Open: Roger Federer unhappy with Paris security

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Roger FedererImage source, AP
Image caption,

A young fan approached Roger Federer on Court Philippe Chatrier and asked him to pose for a selfie

French Open

Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 24 May - 7 June

Coverage: Live text and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentaries on every Andy Murray match and other key matches.

Roger Federer criticised French Open security after a spectator ran on to court and attempted to take a photograph with the Swiss.

Federer had just competed a 6-3 6-3 6-4 win over Colombia's Alejandro Falla when a young fan approached him on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The intruder was eventually ushered away but only after he had been able to ask Federer to pose for a selfie.

"I'm not happy about it," said the 33-year-old 17-time Grand Slam champion.

"It happened in the practice, too. It was just a kid, but then three more kids came.

"And on centre court, where you would think this is a place where nobody can come on, he just wanders on and nothing happens.

"It happened during the finals in 2009 as well for me, so I definitely think that something needs to happen quickly. Basically yesterday already."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

A protestor ran onto centre court with a flare during the 2013 French Open final

Federer was playing in the 2009 final against Robin Soderling when another intruder breached security, while a protestor with a flare made it onto the same court during the 2013 final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer.

"Normally I only speak on behalf of myself, but in this situation I think I can speak on behalf of all the players," added Federer, who said tournament director Gilbert Ysern had apologised to him after Sunday's match.

"That's where you do your job, that's where you want to feel safe, and so clearly I'm not happy about it.

"But nothing happened, so I'm relieved. But clearly it wasn't a nice situation to be in."

Tournament director Gilbert Ysern said the incident was embarrassing but did not believe there was a reason to change security procedures.

"It was just a lack of judgment this afternoon. Clearly the security people who were on court did not do the job the way they should have done of course, to say the least," he said. "But it's not the end of the world."

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