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Federer: Istomin Upset Is Why We Love Sports


Like most of the tennis world, Roger Federer was stunned by 117th-ranked Denis Istomin’s second-round upset of defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

Federer was drawn to the drama because Istomin, whose career nearly ended after he suffered a fractured leg in a car accident while driving to a tournament, is popular among his peers and because he was convinced Djokovic would stage a comeback.

Watch: Vintage Federer Beats Berdych

“I didn't see it coming. I mean, I love Denis,” Federer said after sweeping Tomas Berdych in straight sets to reach the fourth round. “He's the nicest guy. He's got a lot of fans in the locker room because he's always super sweet and everything. Great player, good shot-maker. I didn't see this one coming.

“I'm happy for Denis. It's a tough one for Novak. Until the very, very end, I still believed that Novak was going to turn it around, like everybody else.”

Federer, who suffered a stunning third-round upset loss to Andreas Seppi at the 2015 Australian Open that snapped his run of 11 consecutive Melbourne semifinals, said the sheer thrill-ride rush upsets incite in viewers is why we love love sports.

“Yeah, it's why we love live sports. It's why we watch it,” Federer said. “It's why people come to the stadium, people watch it on the TV. You just don't know the outcome. Even though the odds are crazy in somebody's favor, there's always the chance for the big upset. That's why I'm a big sportsfan. Voila.”

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve



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