Bencic accidentally hits Federer at Hopman Cup

Jan 06, 2017
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Bencic accidentally hits Federer at Hopman Cup

Team Switzerland would fall to France and lose a spot in the fina

Published Jan 06, 2017

In a winner takes all mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup, Belinda Bencic did the unthinkable: she pegged Roger Federer with an errant backhand return.

Bencic's face read as, "Oh my God, did I really just hit the GOAT?!" The Swiss teenager's only saving grace is how slowly the ball looked to be traveling.

With the tie even at 1-1 (after Federer topped Richard Gasquet and Bencic lost to Kristina Mladenovic), the Swiss team would lose the crucial mixed doubles contest, 4-2, 4-2. France will meat the United States in Saturday's final.

Still, Bencic enjoyed a rare chance to get up close to and learn from her home country's greatest product.

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"Everything he says is really good advice, so I try to listen," Bencic said. "And just also learn from how realized he is and how easy he takes things."

Point proven as Federer took the unexpected hit to his back with an easy laugh.