While the strongest teams of the planet are fighting in Madrid for the main trophy of the renewed Davis Cup, an equally significant event took place in Mexico City. The exhibition match between the Swiss Roger Federer and the German Alexander Zverev broke the attendance record in the history of tennis. The meeting of some of the best athletes of our time was watched by 42 517 people.
The game took place on the world's largest bullring “Plaza Mexico City”. The sports facility was opened in 1946. Over its more than half-century history, it has become the center of a large number of events significant for the cultural and social life of the country. However, most often it was used for its intended purpose - for the popular bullfight in Latin America.
The first tennis match for the entire existence of the arena was held according to a scenario that was quite traditional for friendly matches. First, the rivals exchanged the winning sets, and in the final game after a bitter struggle Federer won - 3: 6, 6: 4, 6: 2.
The relaxed atmosphere of such confrontations, when athletes have the opportunity to communicate and even joke with the audience and with each other, and this time contributed to the emergence of a large number of funny situations. So, at Zverev's pitch with a score of 4: 4 in the second installment, one of the fans decided to confess his love to Federer. He was supported by other spectators and a wave of applause swept the stands. The German did not take offense at the warm display of feelings in relation to the opponent, but only asked if anyone loved him.
#FedererxESPN y Zverev disfrutaron del partido en México. 🇲🇽🙌
Y nos regalaron estos grandes momentos junto a @Telcel. 🎾 # LaRedDeTusEmocionespic.twitter.com / UpZXmWMrW1
Raul Zurutuza, head of the Mexico Tennis Federation, under whose auspices the match was held, noted the significance of Federer’s visit to Mexico. In turn, another representative of the organizing committee Enrique Diaz shared his impressions of the process of holding such an unusual event.
“Roger is the greatest tennis player. It is a great pleasure for us, a great honor, a challenge and an incentive to move on. As for the obstacles that we had to face, we had little time at our disposal, and the tennis players were very careful, so it was necessary to think through every detail, ”quoted Tenis World USA to Diaz.
After the historical event, its immediate participants shared their emotions. Federer emphasized that victory is a pleasant bonus for him in every match, but the most important thing is to enjoy the game itself.
“I have not been in Mexico for 23 years, what a mistake! It was an incredible experience in such a beautiful country. For both of us and for me personally, speaking to such a wonderful audience was of great importance. It was a historic day. I promise that I won’t need another 23 years to return, ”Federer told Tennis World USA.
In addition, he appealed to the audience, thanks to which this achievement became a reality.
“An absolutely magical evening in Mexico City. Thanks to all 42,517 viewers who came and helped set a new world record. Long live Mexico, ”the Swiss wrote on his Instagram page.
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Posted by Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) Nov 23, 2019 at 8:29 am PST
In turn, Zverev paid tribute to the opponent. He said that the Swiss was always an idol for him and had a big role in the process of his becoming as a tennis player.
“For objective reasons, it is more interesting to watch his matches than the game of Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. I know him personally and he is a wonderful person. What he does on the court and beyond is impossible to repeat. He probably has the best shots, and what he does with the ball, how he performs shortened, cut, a variety of actions, a vision of the game! ”, The German admired.
The previous record for attendance at tennis matches belongs to the meeting between Belgian Kim Kleisters and American Serena Williams, which took place on July 8, 2010 in Brussels. Then in the stands of the football stadium named after King Baudouin was present 35 681 spectators.
Federer is already thinking about how to soon beat his own achievement. He said that in February 2020 he intends to hold a friendly match at the 55,000th stadium in Cape Town. His opponent will be the current first racket of the world, Rafael Nadal. Within the framework of a large-scale event, a pair meeting will also take place, in which the Swiss will unite with the entrepreneur Bill Gates, and the Spaniard with the South African actor Trevor Noah.