The latest leg of Roger Federer’s South American tour has taken him to Argentina with the world No.3 receiving a special message from one of the country’s most prestigious sporting icons.
The 20-time grand slam champion played an exhibition match against Alexander Zverev at what was a packed Parque Roca Arena, which has a capacity of 15,500 people. Despite the crowd rooting for Federer, it was the German who prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(2). Avenging his loss to the Swiss player in Chile earlier this week.
“There are few places where they treat me like in Argentina.” Federer said after the match.
“The heat of the public in this country is incredible and that gives me strength to continue (playing).”
Following their on-court clash, Federer was shown a video message from former football player Diego Maradona on the main screen at the stadium. Maradona was the captain of the 1986 Argentinian football team that won the FIFA World Cup and at one stage of his career held the world record for the highest transfer fee during the 18980s.
“You were, you are and will be the greatest,” the 59-year-old said to Federer.
“There’s no other like you. I want you to know that if you have any kind of trouble in my country you can call me and tell me what you need.”
Flattered by the comments, Federer was seen smiling with pride on the court. Although the two have previously met each other with their first encounter occurring back in 2010 at the ATP World Tour Finals. Federer has previously described Maradona as somebody who he ‘grew up admiring’ and is ‘one of the best soccer players of all time.’
There will be no time for the two players to rest after their time in Buenos Aires. They will next fly to Colombia to play a match in Bogota on Friday. It will be held at the Movistar Arena en Bogotá. The same venue which held an exhibition match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal back in 2011 that attracted 14,000 spectators.
