Stan Wawrinka has doubled down on his criticism of Gerard Pique's affect on the Davis Cup with a not-so-subtle swipe on the former Barcelona star on social media. Pique, who retired from skilled soccer after a adorned profession in 2022, got here beneath hearth after ending a industrial partnership settlement with the competitors 20 years early.

Pique, who retired from skilled soccer after a adorned profession in 2022, got here beneath hearth after ending a industrial partnership settlement with the competitors 20 years early.

His firm, Kosmos, signed a take care of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2018 that would offer funding to run the Davis Cup for the subsequent 25 years to the tune of £2.4billion.

But it was introduced earlier this 12 months that that partnership had already ended twenty years earlier than the anticipated expiry date.

Despite Pique's involvement ending, the Nou Camp favorite's affect on the match continues to be evident. One of the modifications carried out throughout his tenure was the ceasing of 'house' and 'away' matches in favour of taking part in all ties at a central venue.

But the choice has appeared to backfire with attendances affected by followers not having any affinity with the nations taking part in matches on impartial territory.

This was evident forward of Switzerland's match in opposition to France at Manchester's AO Arena on Tuesday, which was sparsely attended.

Wawrinka shared a video of the rows of empty seats on X (previously Twitter) with the caption: “Thank you @3gerardpique @ITFTtennis! France vs Switzerland in Manchester lol,” alongside an indignant face and facepalming emoji.

Pigue responded to the publish himself with a photograph of a Davis Cup tweet exhibiting that 113, 268 attended the group stage occasions in Hamburg, Valencia, Bologna and Glasgow final 12 months.

He wrote: Last 12 months attendance within the group stage. You can evaluate it for your self @stanwawrinka. We don’t set up it anymore. Ask the @ITFTennis…"

Switzerland lost their match against France in Manchester, but Wawrinka sent a counter-response to Pique once he was back off court.

Wawrinka wrote: "After a nasty day on courtroom this not less than made me chortle! It could be nice to grasp extra if it was so successful final 12 months, why the 25 years deal stopped after 5 years…"

As X customers weighed in on the argument for each side, just a few hours later Wawrinka adopted up his response with a short video of comedian Ricky Gervais, presenting the Oscars. In a transparent reference to the net row between himself and Pique, Gervais is proven saying: "I do know he is your buddy however I do not care."

The group stages of the Davis Cup run until September 17, with the 16 qualifying nations competing at venues in Manchester, Bolgna, Valencia and Split.