Man runs onto court in French Open final
3 hours, 45 minutes ago
PARIS (AP)—A man stunned Roger Federer and the crowd at the French Open when he leapt onto the court and tried to place a red hat on Federer’s head during the men’s final on Sunday.
Federer pushed the intruder aside, and the man then danced in front of him waving a Barcelona soccer team flag.
Security guards ran onto the court to subdue the man, but he jumped over the net. A security guard from Robin Soderling’s side of the court then ran out and tackled him. He was carried off the court by three security guards.
Police later said he was jailed for questioning and could be charged with illegally entering a sports stadium. Police said the man claimed to be a fan of Federer.
Intruders have interrupted Grand Slam finals before, at Roland Garros and elsewhere, but what made this episode scarier was the man went right up to Federer and touched him.
After the man was taken away, a security guard approached Federer to check if he was OK. The Swiss player smiled and nodded. A moment later, Federer turned to look up at his wife in the stands and then adjusted his headband.
Federer won the first set 6-1 and was leading 2-1 in the second set when the man got through a row of photographers and jumped onto the court. Federer lost that game at love, but then won the next.
Man runs onto court in French Open final - Tennis - Yahoo! Sports