The security at the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 is expected to be strengthened following reports that there had been online death threats for world number one Roger Federer. One of the users of the website baidu.com posted a disturbing image of the Swiss star on his knees on a tennis and decapitated with a masked executioner in black holding an axe standing next to him.
“We hope that it was an oral threat only, and the fan won’t take substantive action. However, we have to take it seriously,” the Shanghai Masters tournament’s Yang Yibin was quoted by Shanghai Youth Daily.
“We have contacted the local police and we will upgrade the level of security for Roger. Meanwhile, we will also protect other players’ security,” Yibin added.
Federer is the top-seeded player at the Chinese city and he’s with his family.
“We are fully aware of the comments that have been made and we take all such issues seriously,” the tournament officials said in a statement.
“The Shanghai Rolex Masters has security in place for our players and every precaution is taken to make sure players are kept safe and comfortable and allowed to do the job they are here for; to play tennis and provide their fans with the thrill of watching them in action.”
