"It felt like an earthquake" - Adrian Mannarino recalls the crowd reaction when facing Roger Federer at the US Open

Although tennis players have fans wherever they go, several are forced to remain humble when sharing the same court with members of the Big Three, who often are the recipients of the majority of the crowd's adulation.

Frenchman Adrian Mannarino spoke about his experience during a recent roundtable dinner, alongside compatriot Richard Gasquet and Belgian David Goffin. The trio themselves are well-known and fan favorites on tour, but their reception often pales in comparison to that received by the greats, especially Swiss legend Roger Federer.

The former World No.17 recalled an incident where he faced the 20-time Grand Slam champion at the US Open. Mannarino admitted he already felt at a disadvantage facing one of the greatest tennis players in the world, but then the sight of the crowd going crazy at Federer's introduction was the nail in his coffin.

"One of the moments I remember the most is when I had to face Roger in a night session at the US Open," said Mannarino. "Third round on a Saturday night. You could feel that everyone came to see Roger and people couldn't wait. Every time I step in and just a few people clap. And the speaker says Roger Federer and I felt like an earthquake.
" I was stressed because I wasn't playing that well at the time. And I though 'Damn I'm going to get squashed in front of everyone.' The first three games you blink, and you're already down 3-0."