Doorman have a reputation for being some of the worst jobsworths about and a clip emerging from Australia won’t have done their denials of that claim any good.
It shows the legendary Swiss tennis player Roger Federer sauntering back towards the players’ area backstage at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he was greeted by a tournament official.
That official, having to feign no knowledge of who he was speaking to, intimated that he needed to see a security pass before he could get into the restricted area.
Federer, 37, didn’t take it too seriously and just waited for a staff member to come along with the required credentials.
The Swiss great beat the American Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 on Friday to reach the fourth round of the tournament.
When asked if retirement was on the agenda for him, like it is for the Briton Andy Murray, Federer demurred.
“For the time being, it’s all good. Lights are on green.”
“I’m injury-free, enjoying myself, ”The kids [two sets of twins] are having a great time too on the tour. My wife’s happy. So, for the moment, there are absolutely no complaints and no plans. I’m just happy where I am in my life, in my career right now.”
Tomorrow he’ll face Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver, and also discussed how he might approach that challenge.
“I like how he mixes up his game and also comes to the net. So will I. I think we will see some athletic, attacking tennis being played.”
Even GOATs need their accreditation, right @rogerfederer? 😂