Roger Federer will dip into his own pocket or reschedule another exhibition match in Colombia to compensate fans for his cancelled exhibition match.
The Swiss star toured South America last week but the third leg of his journey, in Bogota, was called off at the last minute.
Riots in the city brought the start time forward by two hours but just before Federer and Alexander Zverev were due to get their clash underway they walked onto the court to explain why they had to cancel the match on safety grounds.
Tournament organiser Manuel Mate staggeringly claimed fans would not get a refund for their ticket.
“We are very sad and in a financially very difficult situation,” he said.
“The expenditure remained the same, but many revenues disappeared. Some sponsors have supported us, but by no means all of them.”
However, Federer’s agent Tony Godsick has told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger that the 20-time Grand Slam winner will attempt to put another show on after the Miami Open in March.
But if that fails then the 38-year-old is open to issuing a refund.
“Roger compensates the fans in Bogota,” Godsick said.
“Our goal is that the game be made up for next year. If this is not possible, Roger will return his fee and ensure that the fans get the money back for their tickets.
“They were incredibly loud when he first started there. This beautiful story must not end with this cancellation, that’s clear.
“The goal is to be able to present a replacement date in mid-December, for which the tickets already purchased are valid.
“Ideal would be if Roger is already in the area anyway. For example, around the tournament in Miami.”
When explaining the cancellation to the gutted crowd, Federer said: “We have to be safe, we have to be careful and that’s why this is a decision for the people.
“I hope to be one day coming back and playing in front of you.”
