Never let it be said that the good folk who work security at Melbourne Park aren't on the ball.
They are. All the time. 24/7.
Even when it comes to Roger Federer.
That was the case when the defending Australian Open champion and 20-time grand slam winner rolled into Melbourne Park for a practise session on Saturday.
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Federer wasn't wearing his official tournament accreditation as he walked towards the changing rooms, because, well, it's a tennis tournament and he's Roger F***ing Federer. The king of tennis. The GOAT.
Recognised the world over, Federer was half way through the door when a security guard stopped him and asked to see his accreditation.
Rules is rules, so Fed waited until a trainer or coach arrived with the correct documentation.
The current world number three was eventually allowed inside the facilities that have seen him raise the Norman Brookes Tophy six times.
But not before a very, very awkward couple of moments as Federer and security guard stood next to each other.
Watch the interaction below.
Even @rogerfederer needs his accreditation 😂#AusOpen (via @Eurosport_UK)
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2019
pic.twitter.com/oZETUaygSE
Well played from Federer - he didn't kick up a fuss about it. Even though he's one of the most recognisable people on the planet.
And of course, the Australian Open is one of the biggest annual events in the Victorian capital and security is paramount.
But come on. It's Roger Federer.
In fairness to the security guard, he looked like pulling up the greatest player ever for not having his accreditation was the last thing he wanted to do.
We'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that the bosses have a strict "no accreditation, no access" policy. No ifs, ands or buts.
The incident started a conversation on Twitter about how laid back Australia actually is, with Telegraph sports writer Simon Briggs weighing in.
As anyone who has spent any time in Australia knows, this supposedly laidback country is actually a stickler for rules https://t.co/aYZ3DrCVUo
— Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) January 19, 2019
During one Ashes tour, I compiled a list of "Officious and/or Authoritarian Behaviour". It ran to more than 40 items, including being told not to play frisbee in an empty SCG carpark while waiting for a presser. The estimable @plalor ran it on The Australian's back page
— Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) January 19, 2019
I am not estimable, but it was an important document. Australia is one of the more over regulated countries and Australians one of the more submissive groups despite the self-deception among us that we are defiant/rebellious etc. https://t.co/TzDuw2TL1v
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) January 19, 2019
Good times.
Provided he has his correct documentation, Federer will be back on court for his fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
Federer is yet to drop a set so far in wins over Denis Istomin, Dan Evans and Taylor Fritz. Meanwhile 20-year-old Tsitsipas has been four sets in all three of his Australian Open matches to date.