Stan Wawinka talks about ATP Finals dispute with Roger Federer
The friendship between Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka was at a crossroads at the end of 2014. Now the latter has spoken about the dispute between the two Swiss at the ATP finals.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 06, 2022, 11:20 am
It's one of those stories that only sport writes. 2014, the end of a long and intense season. Traditionally, the game year ends with the ATP finals, followed by selected representatives fighting for the coveted title in the team competition in the Davis Cup final. Right in the middle of this story: Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, who, six years earlier, caused one of the most emotional moments in the recent past of tennis with their joint Olympic victory in pair skating.
Back then, in 2014, emotions also ran high - just in the opposite direction: Federer and Wawrinka faced each other as rivals at the ATP finals, a much-discussed interjection from Federer's wife Mirka, according to which Wawrinka was a "cry baby", left the waves Going up man with the compelling one-handed backhand. "Fortunately there were no cameras in the corridors and changing rooms at the time," said the Swiss in the RMC podcast Court No. 1.
Wawrinka cries for Federer
There was a heated argument between the two compatriots, as Wawrinka explained: "It was a critical moment, very complicated. The situation was difficult for both of us to handle," said the former third in the world rankings. Nevertheless, the dispute was then settled quite quickly - as is well known, on the train towards the French city of Lille, near which the Davis Cup was later scheduled, we were able to laugh together again.
The reaction of the 37-year-old to Roger Federer's resignation also shows how strong the bond between the two Swiss is today: "I cried for Roger. It was hard, a strong feeling. Even talking about it is difficult," says Wawrinka . "When I came on the tour, he was already there. He was like a big brother to me, a friend." For himself, he sees the end of his career as very close, but not quite there: "If I no longer had the feeling that I could beat the best tennis players, I probably would have stopped. It's important for me to be competitive, I keep playing because I want to experience the matches, the big challenges."