Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka recently reflected on Switzerland's 2014 Davis Cup title and what the French team did after that annoyed Federer.
By 2014, the Davis Cup was one of the few significant honors Federer had not won. The 20-time Grand Slam champion regularly spoke about the pressure the Swiss Tennis Federation put on him to secure the Davis Cup for his country.
By 2014, Federer had already claimed 17 major titles. Such legendary success is why his ex-coach believes Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner should not be compared to Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic.
Victories against Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Italy secured Switzerland's place in the 2014 Davis Cup final against France. The French team had a strong line-up of Richard Gasquet, who will retire next year, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, and Julien Benneteau.
In the days before the tie, there were concerns about Federer's fitness. He withdrew from the ATP Finals against Novak Djokovic, citing a back injury that he did not want to make worse before the Davis Cup.
In front of a loud and passionate home crowd on an indoor clay court in Lille, Wawrinka produced an outstanding performance to defeat Tsonga in four sets. A triumph in that match had been as critical to France's hopes.
However, Monfils responded with an even better display to dismantle Federer in straight sets and level the tie. The eight-time Wimbledon was not at his best but would still have found it tough regardless against an exceptional Monfils.
In the crucial doubles match, Federer and Wawrinka teamed up to beat Gasquet and Benneteau in straight sets to put Switzerland 2-1 up and one victory away from a maiden Davis Cup title.
France was dealt a considerable blow when Tsonga, who enjoyed some success against Federer during his career, could not play against the Swiss maestro because of an injury. That meant Gasquet was called to play.
Federer sealed the Davis Cup title for Switzerland with a triumph in straight sets against Gasquet, who fought bravely after being drafted in so late to compete against a legend like Federer.
In an interview with Radio Television Suisse, Federer recounted the French team praising him extensively afterward to try and isolate Wawrinka, something the 2009 French Open champion did not appreciate.
"I think they had decided to highlight me and ignore Stan. And it was a ba***rd thing. Everybody was congratulating me for the Davis Cup victory. I was told, ‘Rog, you’re incredible, you’re the man.’ And I was there, ‘Guys I can read you. You want to hurt Stan.'”
Wawrinka remembered that Monfils stepped in to stop how the other French players were acting. Gasquet's actions straight after losing to Federer were more understandable than Tsonga and Bennetau's, but the overall behavior of Monfils' teammates was disappointing.
"I found myself with the whole French team around me asking me questions, not being happy, with the frustration of defeat. There was one person who intervened, it was Gael Monfils who said: ‘Guys, stop being sore losers and leave him alone.'"
"I am necessarily the easy target, because Roger is untouchable. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for us, we won. That was ten years ago, so everything is fine."