AFP/Lionel Bonaventureview photoPARIS (AFP) - The spectator who confronted Roger Federer during Sunday's French Open final insisted he had only wanted to express his support for the Swiss star in his bid for Grand Slam glory.
The incident, which happened with Federer leading 6-1, 2-1 against Sweden's Robin Soderling, stunned the players, officials and capacity crowd on the Philippe Chatrier centre court.
As Federer prepared to serve, the spectator, a regular interloper at sports events both at home in Spain and abroad and known by the self-styled nickname Jimmy Jump, clambered over the courtside wall and rushed up to him.
Dressed in the Swiss colours of red and white and brandishing a flag of his football team - European champions Barcelona- he tried but failed to place a red hat on Federer's head.
Security guards ran at the spectator who darted off to the other side of the court before he was brought down and carried off forcefully.
As he was being taken away he was heard saying that he had wanted to pay homage to Federer and make a gesture against dethroned Spanish champion Rafael Nadal, who is known to be a fan of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid.
He was taken into custody and faces up to 12 months in prison or possibly more if the French Tennis Federation decides to take legal action against him.
Federer, who went on to win the match 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, said that it had not been the first time such an incident had happened to him during a match recalling similar intrusions at Wimbledon and Montreal.
"I didn't know what had happened until I heard the crowd react," he said. "So that gave me a fright seeing him so close right away.
"Normally they look at you and say 'sorry I have to do this', but this guy looked at me and I was not sure what he wanted. He seemed to want to give me something.
"Maybe I should have sat down and taken a minute to reflect on what had happened. It was a touch scary."
Jimmy Jump has his own self-promotional web-site devoted to his antics both in Spanish and English and on which he sells tee-shirts with his own logo on it.
Previous incursions include the recent Spanish football league match between Racing Santander and Barcelona and the 2007 rugby union World Cup final in Paris between England and South Africa.
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The last time i submitted a comment to this forum was on reading a lot of nasty comments on federer by some fans who suggested they were supported of nadal. I jsu thtought i would do so now also. Federer, is an example and one of the best is uspect if not the best, though im not in a position to make such a judgement. However he is a gentleman and an example to all, a great sportsman. I am delighted he has won the French open , much deserved, and full congratulations to him, However , Nadal , also is a great sportsman, and also an example. I think the true quality of both men is the respect they show to each other. I just wish their respective so called supporters , who attack the others with venom, could take a leaf out of both mens books, and behave like gentleman, acknowledging both men's qualities. Some of the stuff written in these forums, is pretty crude and extreme, full of anger and enmity. Tennis is extremely lucky to have 2 such great men/players. Currently Federer deserves all the acolades and his rightful place , i suspect as the greatest. Nadal, too is wonderful , but different , not having the same artistry or level of technical ability. However he too one day may aspire to the heights of Roger Federer, but both men need to be acknowledged as great champions
Robertxxx111 - How DARE you speak for the 'tennis world'. The whole of the tennis world respects both Rafa and Roger as two of the greatest ambassadors for the game. You obviously know nothing about tennis despite your protestations that you do. Perhaps you should look at your phrase tennis etiquette, honour and humility and practise what you preach rather than the vindictive vitriol which you spout. There is absolutely nothing wrong with tears at such an emotional time - I myself had a few in my eyes - perhaps you would like to criticise me for that. You obviously have a major chip on your shoulder and on behalf of the genuine tennis community I wish you all the best in coming to terms with whatever your problem is.
Roger is without doubt The Greatest Tennis player of our time...some of the comments mentioned below are very strange to say the least....whilst i respect everyones opinion....The fact of Rogers career are there for all to see....Frankly he is an extremely Humble Guy......Indeed all in Sport could learn alot from him.....FROM...............JOHN QUINN inGALWAY IRELAND
what a waste of stupid blabble. Of course Roger is one of the greatest. As for being emotional thats why everybody likes him , he is natural like all of us. We are all emotional for him too. Well done again Roger we are all behind you. x
from malta
that jimmy jump guy is crazy and should be locked up and checked by specialists. he is dangerous in ways he himself cannot foresee,players could be injured by mistake, but worse,he could emulate others to do similar stunts with much darker agendas,and for this,if he's not deemed insane,he should face serious prison terms,not as an example to others for we know it rarely works,but because this is serious,he has the right to his views,but this is not freedom of expression by wordings,it is actions as dangerous as driving the wrong way on the highway,for it is not your own death you're defying,but the death of innocents too.You're not a hero Jimmy Jump,you're the bad guy and have to stop or be stopped,sorry
i'd have backhanded and forehanded him with my racket and probably be thrown myself in jail with the guy,could have been even injured in the process and not been able to continue the match,Federer had a great reaction,was clearly shaken but went on to win anyhow,cool ,way cool and very professional,kudos for Federer
that was realllllllllllllly scary!!!!....i would run if i was in federers shoes.....But federer?HE IS SUCUH A COOL GUY!
pooor imposter...he mtie face prison term!....no offence but good lesson for all those STANS OUT DERE!
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