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 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.
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.
“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.”
