Federer clarifies on cricket jersey

Dubai: Roger Federer’s fascination with cricket starts with his support for South Africa and perhaps ends with a bit of indulgence with India.

Last month, the World No. 2 posted a photo with a brand new Team India jersey on his Facebook page along with a caption: Dressing up for a Gentleman’s game today. #BleedBlue.

Asked about his meeting with Team India following his loss to Andrea Seppi, the Swiss ace clarified: “I didn’t actually meet them [Team India]. In Brisbane I saw [Virat] Kohli maybe. I follow a little bit, but it really depends where you are. When I’m in America definitely not, and then when I’m in Europe definitely not, and then when I’m in Australia, a little bit here, sometimes. So it depends where I am in the world and which sport I follow. I got the shirt while I was in India [during the IPTL in New Delhi in December].”

However, Federer’s gesture did not go down well with some of his Pakistani fans. “It wasn’t the idea [to upset Pakistani fans]. It was more of a Nike thing to be quite honest. It was a Nike campaign they had because I met some of the Indian players and I had just spent some time in India so they presented the shirt to me,” Federer clarified.

“I support South Africa [Federer’s mum is South African], and everybody knows that. The idea wasn’t to spark any fire there. So I’m sorry that it did,” he added.