China ups security after Federer death threat

A security guard stands under a giant poster of top-ranked men's tennis player Roger Federer in Shanghai on October 5, 2012, who will be competing in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament. / GettyImages

(AP) BEIJING - A Chinese state media report says security for the upcoming Shanghai Masters is being tightened after an online death threat against Roger Federer.

Shanghai's Youth Daily quoted tournament official Yang Yibin as saying police were notified about the threat and that security will be increased for Federer at the tournament, which starts this weekend.

The report says the threat, posted last month on a Federer fan site by "Blue Cat Polytheism Founder 07," vowed to assassinate Federer. It was accompanied by a gruesome image of a decapitated Federer.

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Roger Federer

An officer in the Internet security office of the Shanghai police on Friday said the threat is being investigated.

In a statement, the tournament said it is aware of the threat and has proper security in place.

"We are fully aware of the comments that have been made and we take all such issues seriously," the statement said. "The Shanghai Rolex Masters has security in place for our players and every precaution is taken to make sure players are kept safe and comfortable and allowed to do the job they are here for; to play tennis and provide their fans with the thrill of watching them in action."