Novak Djokovic won the US Open and created history for the ATP with his 24th Grand Slam title. He equaled Margaret Court’s record for the most number of major titles and has increased the gap between him and other men’s Singles players. The official US Open page decided to celebrate his achievement with a post lauding him as the oldest Grand Slam winner. But little did they know of the massive blunder that they were about to create, as Roger Federer fans came out of the woodwork to haunt them for their mistake.
The oldest Grand Slam winner in history is Ken Rosewall. The Australian player was active for 27 years, which was unheard of during his era. More interestingly, when he was 37 years and 2 months old, he won the 1972 Australian Open, which would be his last Slam. This miss makes the US Open post an even bigger mishap.
US Open hounded by Roger Federer fans for Novak Djokovic misinformation
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The American Slam will not forget the faux pas they made any time soon. Their congratulatory post hailed Djokovic as the oldest Grand Slam champion when he won the US Open at 36 years and 3 months. But Federer and Rosewell have both won a Slam when they were older than the Serbian player. The message did not settle well with the fans of the 20-time Grand Slam champion, as they called the organizers out for their mishap.
Age is just a number 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JVABRYTQOr
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023
Some fans even went ahead and told them to delete the post and make a new one as Djokovic is the oldest US Open winner.
A tennis fan asked them if they had forgotten the name of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
Does the name Roger Federer ring a bell? Just asking… https://t.co/MWAYIuY6vq
— 🌊 🏔☀️❤️🩹 (@untiedsneakers) September 11, 2023
Jose Morgado, a respected tennis journalist set the record straight. He simply said that they were wrong while sharing a picture that shows Ken Rosewall being the oldest after winning the 1972 Australian Open title. He was followed by Roger Federer in the 2018 Australian Open.
Nop. https://t.co/eCWS7oNLFI pic.twitter.com/6MaitoEEER
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 11, 2023
One fan of the Swiss Maestro pointed out the fact of Federer being older during his Australian Open 2018 win.
Nop. Roger Federer, Australian Open 2018 🏆 (36years & 6 months)
— Tennisphère 🎾 (@tennisphere_) September 11, 2023
Another vexed fan jabbed at the ignorance of the US Open and asked them to not post fake statistics to generate views.
Federer was older, 36 year 5 months in 2018 while winning Australian Open. Quit posting fake stats to attract molefarmers https://t.co/Wi27RDUsF7
— If (@ififdoesntexist) September 11, 2023
One user blatantly said that the post was false and emphasized that Federer is the oldest slam winner in the Open Era. They also added a comment about the “unmatched” PR management of Djokovic’s team, hinting obliquely at their involvement.
This is false. Federer is the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open Era too and he did it first. This guys PR is unmatched. 😭 https://t.co/R0eKhw4CUC
— Zion (@fedballtennis) September 10, 2023
Yet another user pointed it out, but they used a few simple words.
Federer was older
— Doris (@Dorli_Wi) September 11, 2023
One fan also pointed out the same as above but posed it as a question.
Wasn’t Federer older in Australia 2018? https://t.co/nVNqXBBNyc
— F r a n 🇪🇸 (@_rafalewis) September 11, 2023
Another user similarly prefaced their point by admitting that Djokovic is the oldest US Open winner, not the oldest Slam winner.
@usopen PLEASE CORRECT NOT OLDEST GRAND SLAM BUT OLDEST US OPEN.
Oldest singles grand slam champion in the open era is still @rogerfederer at 36 years & 6 months winning@AustralianOpen 2018. https://t.co/eVSXZJ5zgS— Aizaz Ahmed🏴 اعزازاحمداعؔزاز (@aizaz1411) September 10, 2023
A user expressed similar reservations about the erroneous declaration.
I think this is wrong… Maybe oldest USO single Champion.. https://t.co/htnUom7wPL
— EVANGETAINMENT ✝️ (@Zeal_01) September 11, 2023
A dedicated follower added to the voices and outrightly said that the post was sharing false news.
This isn’t even true?
Roger was older in Aus 2018. https://t.co/0pxymIYUye
— GJ (@TheNewsAtGlen) September 11, 2023
One fan was thoroughly miffed and questioned why the US Open was “blatantly lying”.
Why are they blatantly lying like this 😭 https://t.co/93VQBaoGj0
— teorrainn (@teorrainn317) September 11, 2023
A follower of the sport said that it was embarrassing that the post was still up on their page.
They haven’t deleted this yet embarrassing https://t.co/YicF30yxw8
— Rinke (@chasedanoldlove) September 11, 2023
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Yet another fan questioned why the page didn’t delete the tweet when it was wrong.
wait why haven’t they deleted this yet when it’s wrong help ?😭 https://t.co/iALqeJExp0
— mimi🧍🏻♀️| autumn era ⁵⁵⁴ (@rafastefbaes) September 11, 2023
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Not only fans of the Swiss Maestro but even simple tennis fans will not forget the blunder made by the US Open page for a long time to come. Although they probably did not mean to show it, but many see this as a sign of disrespect to Federer. Carrying the spirit of their champion in their hearts, Federer’s fans will not let the US Open’s social media managers live the embarrassment down anytime soon.
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