Thursday, October 4, 2012

Federer received death threat on his way to Shanghai Masters

Thursday, October 04, 2012  ,  
Federer received death threat on his way to Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer, who arrived in Shanghai with his family, was targeted by an online death threat that forced the Shanghai Masters organisers to tightened the security for the world number 1.

An unknown blogger said he planned to "assassinate" him in a post on a popular Chinese website.

"On October 6, I plan to assassinate Federer for the purpose of tennis extermination," read the message, posted under the name 'Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder 07' on baidu.com.

The user also posted a doctored image showing a decapitated Federer on his knees on a tennis court.

Police and other government agencies have been contacted to increase security around Federer.

"We hope that it was an oral threat only, and the fan won't take substantive action. However, we have to take it seriously," Yang Yibin was quoted as saying.

"We have contacted the local police and we will upgrade the level of security for Roger. Meanwhile, we will also protect other players' security."