A bizarre internet threat against Roger Federer took another twist on Wednesday with the alleged plotter who had said he would assassinate the Swiss before this week’s Shanghai Masters “apologizing” online.
The top seed was playing his opening match later against Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan amid what the the world No. 1 had labeled a “distraction” when it came to light last week just before his arrival.
According to a posting on the Chinese message boards at baidu.com, the poster identified as “Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder 07″ said: “I have not been arrested. I took the initiative to contact the relevant people to apologize.”
Officials and police had been taking the threat seriously, with the player wrapped in a cocoon of security which often numbers a dozen plainclothes agents, during his time in the captial.
The Swiss, who arrived in Shanghai alone from Dubai – he usually travels with his wife and two daughters – said that he was disappointed to see what had been a minor posting blow up into an international story.
The top seed who is playing in Shanghai for the first time since 2010, said that he was informed of the threat more than a week ago but decided to play the event only last week after resting following last month’s Davis Cup.
©Daily Tennis News Wire
Topics: Chinese tennis news, Davis Cup, Rpger Federer, Shanghai Masters, Sports, Swiss tennis news, Taiwan tennis news, Yen Hsun Lu