SWISS DAVIS CUP VS THE FRENCH TEAM LOOKING VERY FRAGILE DUE TO HURT FEELINGS AND EGOS

Written by: Staff on 17th November 2014

Tennis Davis Cup World Group semi final draw

SWISS DAVIS CUP VS THE FRENCH TEAM LOOKING VERY FRAGILE DUE TO HURT FEELINGS AND EGOS

epa04395674 Swiss Davis Cup team players Roger Federer (L), Stanislas Wawrinka (R), and team captain Severin Luethi (C) attend a press conference following the draw of the Davis Cup World Group semi final tie between Switzerland and Italy at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, 11 September 2014. The Davis Cup World Group semi final will take place from 12 to 14 September 2014. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI |

Editors note via 10sballs.com

SEVERIN LUTHI MADE WAS SUCH AN UN – SWISS LIKE BY CHOICE BY SITTING IN ROGER FEDERER’S BOX. ARENT THE SWISS THE MOST NEUTRAL PEOPLE ON EARTH , BOTH @ WIMBY AND THE YEAR END CHAMPS. HE CAUSED THIS CURRENT FIRESTORM between Roger and Stan. You would have never seen Harry Hopman “favor” a member of the squad. Or Sven Groeneveld with his team Adidas . We did see Nick BOLLETTIERI do it with AGASSI/ COURIER once. ( it was poorly received and caused years of friction / tension / hurt feelings )

Swiss Davis Cup Severin Luthi faces an anxious few days in the build up to this weekend’s final against France in Lille. Not only is he waiting to see if the back injury that ruled Roger Federer out of playing in yesterday’s title decider at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals responds sufficiently to treatment. He must also play the role of peacemaker after reports of a serious argument between Federer and his longtime friend and compatriot Stan Wawrinka.

Roger Federer (up) of Switzerland celebrates with Swiss Davis Cup Team captain Severin Luethi (L) and player Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland after winning against Fabio Fognini of Italy during the third single match of the Davis Cup World Group semi final between Switzerland and Italy at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, 14 September 2014. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

The pair of Swiss champions played out a lengthy semi-final on Saturday with Wawrinka seeing four match points come to nothing before Federer prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6). Federer suffered the back injury midway through the deciding tie-break but Wawrinka was angered by his opponent’s wife Mirka shouting out during the climax of the match when he served a fault.

Federer was seen to cast damning glances across the net and Wawrinka complained to the umpire about the noise coming from the opposition players’ box. French TV added credibility when it reported that a courtside effects microphone it had picked up Australian Open champion Wawrinka saying: ‘She did the same thing at Wimbledon.’

In his role as Federer’s co-coach, Luthi was sitting in the box with Stefan Edberg along with Mirka Federer and the player’s father Robbie.

Allegedly the discussion between the two players escalated after they had left court and John McEnroe told American viewers on ESPN: “Afterwards something went on in the locker room, there was a long talk between the players that went on well into the night and the stress of that – I can’t confirm all of this – I don’t think that helped the situation.”

Certainly Wawrinka emerged for his press conference wearing an emotional expression with red eyes that suggested tears had been shed. When asked about what happened during the apparent altercation in an unusually feisty third set, Wawrinka replied: “Not much, nothing special. Tense match, it’s never easy.”

Wawrinka’s manager Lawrence Frankopan of StarWing Sports wasn’t prepared to comment other than to say it was just one of those things that happen in the heat of battle. Meanwhile Tony Godsick, Federer’s long-time manager, maintained the only reason Federer was unable to play Novak Djokovic in the final was the unknown state of his back.

Federer however opted against facing a full press conference after his withdrawal with it being obvious that the alleged altercation with Wawrinka would be paramount in any questioning.

Today both Federer and Wawrinka were due to make the short Eurostar train trip from London’s St Pancras Station through the Channel Tunnel to Lille for the Davis Cup final that begins on Friday. Switzerland has never previously won the trophy.

Content via Bob Larson Tennis News Service.

Topics: Mirka, Roger Federer, Severin Luthi, Stan Wawrinka, Swiss Davis Cup, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

November 17, 2014 at 4:45 pm

SWISS DAVIS CUP VS THE FRENCH TEAM LOOKING VERY FRAGILE DUE TO HURT FEELINGS AND EGOS- http://t.co/77II2al10d #tennis #ATP #DavisCup