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Wawrinka clash was just heat-of-the-moment - Federer

A smiling Roger Federer listens to team-mate Stan Wawrinka at a Davis Cup press conference © Getty Images

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Roger Federer has played down reports of a feud with Davis Cup team-mate Stan Wawrinka, describing a row at the World Tour Finals as a "heat-of-the-moment" incident.

The Swiss pair are due to play together in the Davis Cup final against France on Friday. However, reports claim that they argued following their last-four meeting at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, with a spat between Wawrinka and Federer's wife Mirka apparently at the heart of the problem.

Federer had saved three match points in the 10th game of the deciding set and the match was poised at 5-5 and deuce in game 11 when Wawrinka gestured to Federer's box asking that they be quiet in between serves. Mirka is then reported to have called Wawrinka a 'cry-baby'.

Federer went on to win the match and has now insisted there is no problem between the men ahead of Friday's Davis Cup final.

"We had a conversation after the match," Federer said. "Everything is totally relaxed.

"There was a lot of noise but there are no hard feelings whatsoever. We are having a good time, we are friends, not enemies. It was a heat of the moment situation."

Wawrinka also confirmed the pair had settled their differences but feels umpire Cedric Mourier, who tried to calm the player down on court, could have handled things better.

"We have no problem together - we spoke about it straight after the match," Wawrinka said. "I don't think the umpire was doing a great job in the match - it was quite a mess already. It has become a big deal but for us, it's nothing. It took us five minutes to talk about that."

Of more concern for the Swiss is Federer's fitness after the 17-time grand slam winner was forced to withdraw from Sunday's London final against Novak Djokovic due to a back injury.

Yet, Federer remains hopeful he can recover in time for the start of the singles rubbers on Friday.

"My back is better than it was Sunday, but not good enough for practice yet," Federer added. "But I'm hopeful.

"I wish progress would go faster, but it's better than the days before. I will do all I can to get better. I always think positive."

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