Switzerland's Roger Federer gestures as he answers questions at a press conference after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in the men's singles final. Photo / AP.
Roger Federer has rejected Pat Cash's criticism of his fifth set medical time- out in his Australian Open victory on Sunday night.
Cash, working for BBC's Radio 5 Live, called the lengthy break "legal cheating", lashing the 18-time grand slam winner for his approach.
"It's cheating and it's being allowed.
It's legal cheating but it's still not right," the 1987 Wimbledon winner said.
Federer also took a time-out during his semi-final success over Stan Wawrinka, although that came after his countryman also needed a medical break.
But the Swiss defended his integrity after the match, saying he was playing through pain and had a track record of avoiding the treatments at all costs.
