Fans accuse Roger Federer of "sexism" for stunt during mixed doubles match

Roger Federer can do no wrong in most tennis fans’ eyes. However, with a recent video of him playing in the Hopman Cup earlier this month started circulating on social media, it appears that the Swiss maestro may have upset a few.

In the video, Federer is seen playing mixed doubles with partner Belinda Bencic against American pair of Jack Sock and CoCo Vandeweghe. During a particular rally in the second set, after Federer serves to Sock, the two begin hitting the ball back and forth across the court between themselves.

After a few hits, Vandeweghe realises that she is not required to take part in the rally and proceeds to take a seat on the ground and soon, Bencic follows suit. While the crowd see the funnier side of this, Vandeweghe decides to walk off the court and let Federer and Sock continue. Bencic, too, proceeds to do the same.

Eventually, after a couple of trick shots from Federer, Sock wins the point and throws his arms up in the air in jubilation.

Here is the video:

The crowd in the house saw the lighter side of the incident and started laughing. Clearly, it was aimed to entertain them. However, Federer and Sock’s decision to exclude their female partners did not go down too well with some of the fans on social media.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the incident:

Men will be men.... pic.twitter.com/13dsIh3PVS

— Rishi Bagree 🇮🇳 (@rishibagree) January 13, 2018

Here is a video showcasing #toxicmasculinity. You can say “men will be men” or frown at this disgraceful behaviour from one of the greatest male tennis players of all time #everydaysexism https://t.co/zoHV57Y9tp

— Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi) January 14, 2018

I don't know the rules of tennis but that doesn't count as a win...they need 1 additional player each to legitimately win the doubles...I can only imagine what the reaction would have been if the women decided to go at it alone.

— Queen Amina 🌈 (@NaijaTgal) January 14, 2018

Guessing the girls still got paid the same? 😂😂

— Cameron Byrne (@ByrneCammo) January 18, 2018

I am sure their penises grew an inch, permanently. pic.twitter.com/xrgxlenawU

— ck (@creativedino) January 14, 2018

It’s a good sign!!!“Women don’t stress yourselves, we got this”.

— عثمان مالام (@othmanasquare) January 14, 2018

This is so unfair 😣I'm glad both women walked off the court the way they did...it made a point without making trouble

— Dark Horse (@whimsicalgod) January 14, 2018

I am a guy and actually this one made me think. If I was the one ignored like that I wouldn't be civil like those ladies were. You guys be rallying the ball like that till I smash my baton in someone's face 😐. No one ignores me like that. https://t.co/OsgoMIqGzo

— Seyi Onibudo (@sonibudo) January 14, 2018

The opinion on Twitter is, of course, always divided and there were many arguing that it was only an exhibition match and Federer and Sock were having a little bit of fun with their partners that in no way should be branded as 'sexism'.