Ai mense. Confession time: I couldn’t get myself to watch Roger Federer and whoever he was playing on Friday night at Cape Town Stadium.
Not for a lack of trying, but because I was a little embarrassed.
No, it wasn’t because the net at Cape Town Stadium was hanging low in the middle and that I felt anyone who is someone should have done something about this.
Although, that would have been reason enough for me to switch off a tennis match.
Then again, this wasn’t a tennis match - it was an exhibition.
And it looked like the Mother City couldn’t care less who Federer selected to be at the other end.
That’s why I just couldn’t watch any more.
His name is Rafael Nadal, people. Rafa for short.
BIG JOKE: Trevor Noah and Federer
If I was him, I’d think twice to play this sort of match in South Africa again.
Firstly - and this I could still forgive - there was the banner at Cape Quarter Mall that proudly displayed pictures of Federer and his “opponent” Novak Djokovic.
FALSE ADS: Novak Djokovic mistakenly pictured as Fed’s opponent
It was probably an honest mistake, but already an indication that “important people” couldn’t care less about who Federer played. Then Friday night.
The stadium announcer announced Federer as the most-loved tennis player ever. No love for Rafa - it was clear that we appreciate Federer in this country.
It wasn’t enough.
Our Springbok captain Siya Kolisi then took centre stage, proudly announced that he supports Federer and then gave the man a Bok jersey - which looked a bit tight to warm up in - with the No.8 on it.
Rafa stood there watching this whole thing with a smile on his face - the man didn’t even get as much as a Bok broekie.
OVERLOOKED: Spain legend Rafael Nadal in action in Cape Town. Picture: NIC BOTHMA/EPA
Anyway, kudos to Cape tennis fans for being there and setting a new world record.
But when we decided to open our doors to two sporting greats again, let’s give them BOTH the respect they deserve.
I wasn’t at Cape Town Stadium, so I can’t say much about the actual event.
However, from where I was sitting in my living room, I switched over the television set as soon as the first game of the first set was over.
PS: Thanks for making the trip to South Africa Rafael Nadal.
Even though I am a bit of a Federer man myself - if I’d known they were dishing out Springbok jerseys before the start of the match, I would have done my best to suggest to someone that maybe, just maybe, both our guests should have gotten one.
I see on social media they managed to give you a troosprys jersey afterwards.
I take it all is forgiven and forgotten now...