Federer, Wawrinka in bust-up?

As Roger Federer withdrew from the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday, another intriguing sub-plot developed, with rumours circulating that Switzerland’s world No 2 and compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka had a bust-up in the aftermath of their semi-final clash the night before.

Wawrinka had complained about the behaviour of Federer’s player’s box during the marathon 2hr 48min semi-final on Saturday evening, which included wife Mirka. Certainly the match grew feistier as it went on, not helped by one terrible line call from the chair umpire Cedric Mourier.

TV commentator John McEnroe went so far as to suggest that the tension between the two Swiss players could have exacerbated Federer’s back trouble. “There was a long talk between the players that extended late into the night,” McEnroe said. “And the stress of that, I can’t confirm all of this, but a lot of this went on and ... I don’t think that helped the situation.”

Wawrinka and Federer used to be on excellent terms, but that was before Wawrinka became a threat. There will no doubt be more speculation about their relationship as they move on to play the Davis Cup final together against France next week in Lille.

Federer has won 17 Grand Slams, but has never lifted the Davis Cup. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH