Swiss tennis and Davis Cup fans, here’s one bad news. Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer will not be part of the Switzerland team for their first round match against Belgium in Liège.
Wawrinka and Federer will not play against Belgium in March
Both players, ranked 7 and 2, respectively, in the ATP ratings were responsible for taking their nation all the way in last year’s Davis Cup tournament.
In a recently released statement, the Swiss Tennis Federation confirmed that the pair has decided to make themselves unavailable for the bout against Belgium scheduled from March 6-8.
The 2015 edition of the Davis Cup will be its 104th. Switzerland has been named as the second seed for the tournament.
Rene Stammbach, who is the Swiss Tennis Federation president, claimed to understanding the plight of the two players. “I’m the first to understand that priorities change in the year after a Davis Cup victory and that it isn’t that easy to get back into the fray,” Stammbach was quoted as saying.
Federer and Wawrinka with the Swiss Team post 2014 Davis Cup victory
At present, Wawrinka is competing in Rotterdam in an ATP event, where he has reached the semi-finals.
In his statement, the No.7 ranked player said, “After long weeks of reflection, I have unfortunately decided not to play in this match.”
Stanislas Wawrinka has been part of the Swiss Davis Cup team for eleven years now and has never missed a single Cup tournament. 2015 will be the first time he skips a match.
Wawrinka, who also won the 2014 Australian Open, in his justification, said that 2014 was a long year that combined rich and emotional moments.
Stan Wawrinka won the 2014 Australian Open
Though the two players will not be available only for the opening round, the Swiss team as well as the fans would be hoping for them to return for the subsequent matches.
