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Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots

, Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots

ROGER FEDERER’S clash with Alexander Zverev in Colombia has been axed due to deadly anti-Government riots – leaving the tennis legend in tears.

The Swiss star, 38, is taking on Zverev in a series of matches in South America – but saw his most-recent game called off due to political tensions.

Federer’s clash with Zverev in Bogota was cancelled due to deadly riots in the city
, Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots
Protesters have clashed with police in Bogota over president Ivan Duque
, Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots
What were peaceful protests have turned more violent in recent days

Federer has already played Zverev in Chile and Argentina – where he was called the “GOAT” by Diego Maradona – but was forced to skip Colombia and head straight to the next matches in Ecuador and Mexico.

The pair are playing the exhibitions games in a bid to give the area more exposure to top-level tennis, in an area starved of major tournaments.

But after two successful matches, the third was called off – leaving 40,000 fans devastated.

There has been rioting across Colombian capital Bogota in recent days with protesters clashing with police.

Some Colombians are unhappy with president Ivan Duque – who took office a year ago – with peaceful protests turning increasingly violent of late.

So far, three deaths have been reported, as police have been forced to use tear gas in a bid to restore order – slapping a curfew on the capital and even a ban on buying alcohol at certain times.

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Originally, Federer’s match with Zverev was brought forward in a bid to be done before things turned sour.

But ultimately officials were forced to call the match off entirely, with the players already on the court.

Federer was given a hero’s welcome on arrival and addressed the crowd before being ushered away – with reports claiming he was left in tears.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion said: “I’m very happy to be back in Bogota. I wanted to come back and play for many years.

, Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots
Officials called off the match as they were fearful of the safety of players and fans
, Tearful Roger Federers clash with Zverev in Colombia axed with players ON court due to deadly anti-Government riots
Federer and Zverev are currently playing a series of matches in South America

“I was ready to go and so was Sacha [Zverev], we are so sorry that this cannot happen but sometimes these things tend to happen.

“We have to be safe, we have to be careful and that’s why this is a decision for the people.

“I hope to be one day coming back and playing in front of you.”

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