Roger Federer (31) admitted yesterday that a bizarre online death threat had been a distraction in the build-up to the Shanghai Masters but said he was now focussing on action on the court. <img alt="" src="http://images.mid-day.com/2012/oct/fed.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 267px; " /> Roger Federer. Pic/Getty Images Tournament officials gave assurances on players&rsquo; security after hate messages from a blogger, who calls himself &lsquo;Blue Cat Polytheistic Religion Founder 07&rsquo; appeared on the popular baidu.com site. &ldquo;On October 6, I plan to assassinate Federer for the purpose of tennis extermination,&rdquo; read the message. The user also posted a doctored image showing a decapitated Federer on his knees on a tennis court, with an axe-wielding executioner posing next to him. Federer, speaking at a press conference on the first day of the tournament with black-suited security personnel looking on, said the run-up to the Shanghai Masters had been different from usual. &ldquo;Obviously maybe it&rsquo;s a little bit of a distraction, there&rsquo;s no doubt about it. But you have to be aware of what&rsquo;s happening around you,&rdquo; said the Swiss World No 1. Federer, who has a first-round bye, said he first became aware of the issue about 10 days ago, before it hit the headlines. Federer&rsquo;s wife and twin daughters have not travelled to China but Federer said that decision had nothing to do with the threats, adding: &ldquo;It was a last-minute decision for me to come here in the first place.&rdquo;

World No 1 Federer admits tension over online death threat as he gears up for Asian challenge

Federer admits tension over online death threat

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Federer admits tension over online death threat

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