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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 8 : Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain play a tennis match at Cape Town Stadium as part of an exhibition game held to support the education of African children, on February 8, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
via Getty
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 8 : Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain play a tennis match at Cape Town Stadium as part of an exhibition game held to support the education of African children, on February 8, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
While the focus was firmly on tennis amid the distractions around the pandemic this year, players also had a measure of fun during the break between games or switching sides.
Djokovic, Federer, others like you have never seen them
A compilation of best on-court chats is now out on video streaming and sharing giant YouTube. The video features a collage of funny on-court moments, smart quips between points, and even angry exchanges between players.
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Nick Kyrgios of Australia looks on during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
One of the moments was of Novak Djokovic speaking to someone in the stands during his French Open tie against Argentine Diego Schwartzman.
To someone in the crowd saying that it had started raining, fans could hear Djokovic respond sarcastically. He said, “No kidding, really? I didn’t think so. I thought it was sunny.”
Another moment was from an ATP Cup team tie between Great Britain and Australia, featuring Nick Kyrgios and Alex De Minaur against the British doubles pair of Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury.
After he won a point for Australia, the chair umpire’s microphone picked up Kyrgios as saying “good work”. However, it’s not clear if he said it to himself or his partner.
A third moment featured a Tour game between German Alexander Zverev and rising Italian star Jannik Sinner.
As the German approached the chair umpire after a serve was called wide, Sinner passed a comment which wasn’t audible. Zverev immediately snapped back at the Italian. He said, “Relax, relax, I’m not even talking to you”.
Read More: WATCH: Rafael Nadal’s Brilliance Wins Him the Shot of the Year 2020
Milos Raonic asked his opponent how should he return
Another moment from a Tour game had Canadian Milos Raonic engaging in a funny banter with his opponent during the switchover.
Raonic asked his opponent, “How do you want me to return that one?”
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His opponent quipped, “I don’t want you to return it.”
In another moment, from an exhibition doubles match in South Africa between Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal and television show host Trevor Noah, the Swiss star commented on Nadal hitting a forehand past him. He revealed that he had seen it happen a number of times and is “sick and tired of it.”
