Roger Federer and Vasek Pospisil — Don’t Mess with the Old Man

Here at TennisInsideOut.com, we try to find those little moments in tennis matches you might not always catch on TV. Or that you did catch and wouldn’t mind chuckling over again. And we can’t help being entertained by the Roger Federer Aura, and how an opponent ruffling Fed’s feathers always feels like a jester stepping on the King’s mink-edged velvet robes.

Sure, he’s 33. Yeah, he doesn’t win everything anymore, and sometimes he sticks us with a Cilic/Nishikori USO final (not that we’re bitter). But we still love the Fed and his Aura, and it’s still pretty damn effective when he’s at his Maestro-best on the court.

The Fed played up-and-comer Canadian Vasek Pospisil in Cincinnati in a fast-paced, high-flying three-setter. At one point, Vashy hit this forehand on the run, the ball flipping up…and just over the net.

Vashy quickly changed direction and started running, because you know Fed was running, and Popsicle boy wanted to make sure he was in position to hit another shot.

But Fed’s fleet feet couldn’t quite get him to the ball in time. And there was a little extra momentum he was working with…

Vashy saw he’d knocked the Olderer Man over, and he stopped, turned, and casually strolled away from the net.

Rog contemplated this for a few moments…

You really don’t want to get a look like that from Fed. Well, unless you’re Nole. No two guys on tour seem to enjoy pissing each other off more than Fedole. Except for maybe Gulbis and “Princess” Bautista-Agut, but see, there’s always royalty involved.

But we digress. Vashy had those feral eyes boring a vengeful hole in the back of his skull as he walked away. And then he went on to try some more of his best tennis.

And Fed countered…

And when Fed was next at net, he was feeling good.

And Vashy was all…

The last time they met at the net, the scoreline was 7-6, 5-7, 6-2…Federer.

“Don’t fuck with the Old Man,” Rog seemed to say.

Vashy should be cautious, hugs from Kings and mobsters often lead to a horse head in your bed. Or something like that.

~

You might also enjoy: Roger Federer, aka Dorkerer, has fun on the Cincinnati Champions Balcony

and

Pretzels, Laundry, and Roger Federer — Tales of Cincy’s Center Court Elevator