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Rediff.com  » Sports » This one's for the boys, says gracious Federer

This one's for the boys, says gracious Federer

November 24, 2014 01:27 IST
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Switzerland's Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli, Michael Lammer and Captain Severin Luthi celebrate winning the Davis Cup against France during day three of the Davis Cup Tennis Final. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Having stolen the limelight from Davis Cup stalwart Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer quickly turned attention towards his Switzerland team mates after securing the winning point in the final against France on Sunday.

Federer crushed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to give the Swiss a 3-1 win over the hosts, but the 17-times Grand Slam champion refused to be the hero. 

"I'm really happy for all the guys in the team," he said. 

"Stan put so much effort over the years and he played an unbelievable weekend, that's what gave me the opportunity today.

"I'm very much aware of that, this one is for the boys."

Federer let captain Severin Luthi and Wawrinka carry the trophy

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and Captain Severin Luthi of Switzerland celebrate winning the Davis Cup against France during day three of the Davis Cup Final. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Wawrinka played more Davis Cup ties than Federer recently, notably last year's World Group playoff against Ecuador that helped Switzerland stay in the elite and have a shot at this year's title. 

Federer skipped that tie, which the Swiss won 4-1. 

Asked what the Davis Cup title meant for him as it added to his record Grand Slam titles and Olympic doubles gold medal, Federer said: "This is not for me, it's one for them. 

"I've won enough in my career that I don't need this to complete my... everything... ticking off the boxes... so I'm just happy for everybody else."

Federer let captain Severin Luthi and Wawrinka carry the trophy during a lap of honour on the clay of the Pierre Mauroy stadium.

‘Things were not easy but I was able to play aggressive’ 

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Richard Gasquet of France during day three of the Davis Cup Tennis Final. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer did not play at the weekend but they have done their share of work over the years to keep Switzerland afloat. 

Wawrinka put the visitors on track by winning the first point with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before Federer was upset 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 by Gael Monfils. 

Wawrinka was the main man at the beginning of the doubles, too as he and Federer beat Gasquet and Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to take a 2-1 lead. 

Wawrinka did not have to play on Sunday as his match against Monfils was cancelled after Federer did the job against Gasquet. 

"I'm very happy the way I played," he said. 

"Clearly I expected (French number one) Jo(-Wilfried Tsonga) to be on the other side of the net but I had an hour to get ready. 

"Things were not easy but I was able to play aggressive and I'm happy it paid off." 

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Source: REUTERS
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