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Stan Wawrinka has written about his career. The 37-year-old wrote openly, honestly and without inhibitions about injuries, titles and his future.
At the grass tournament in Queen’s, Stan Wawrinka won against Frances Tiafoe (USA) 7:6 (7:2), 6:7 (6:8), 7:6 (7:5). He inspired with a fair play action.
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Stan Wawrinka has won three Grand Slam titles in his career. After a knee injury with a long break, the Swiss tennis star is currently back on course towards the top of the world. The 37-year-old received a wild card for Wimbledon. Now Stan Wawrinka in the «Players Tribune» about his entire career and future. The title of the contribution: «The last chapter».
Stan the Man begins the lyrics with the following words: «I have to be honest. A year ago I thought about resigning.” He knew he wouldn’t be the same player after knee surgery and lengthy rehab. Wawrinka wondered if it was time to stop. The answer for himself: «No. I still loved tennis. I still loved working out. But the most important thing was that I didn’t want to end my career with an injury.”
He has been back in the ATP circus since March. An outstanding achievement considering that he could barely walk in December. He was also able to win individual games – against players from the top 50. Wawrinka set himself goals. “I want to move up the rankings. And I want to win another tournament. I’m not talking about a Grand Slam; it could be ATP 1000, 500, 250 – any level. It doesn’t matter, »explains the tennis star.
“I was just a boy from a farm.”
His big contribution is also about his career right from the start and the three Grand Slam titles. Wawrinka writes: «When I started playing at the age of eight, I never dreamed of winning Grand Slams. I was just a boy from a farm in Switzerland.” Wawrinka just wanted to go pro.
The 2008 Olympic Games were something extraordinary for him. The two weeks with other athletes in the village to have fun. Plus the doubles with Roger Federer. Wawrinka: «I was under pressure to play well because he had lost in the singles. I struggled in the first two games, but we still won because Roger is Roger.” The duo crowned the excellent performances with the gold medal.
Success came with Magnus Norman
However, the hoped-for boost in singles did not come for a long time. Five years later, Stan the Man still hadn’t played a Grand Slam semifinal. The collaboration with Magnus Norman began in 2013 – a great success. Wawrinka entered the top 10 in the world rankings, made it to the semi-finals at the US Open, where he challenged Novak Djokovic to everything.
In 2014 the time had come. Wawrinka was in a Grand Slam final. At the Australian Open it was against Rafael Nadal. Wawrinka: «In the run-up to this match, I wasn’t nervous once. I mean, a Grand Slam final against World No. 1 Rafael Nadal? It was so crazy for me that I didn’t even bother to dream about it,” writes the 37-year-old. His attitude: In the worst case, it would simply be a defeat. But it was not a defeat! In four sets he prevailed against Nadal.
A year later he expanded his monument further. In 2015 at the French Open he eliminated Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and then Novak Djokovic in the final. “I played my best tennis ever.” But it wasn’t. In 2016, Stan the Man had to face Djokovic again. This time at the US Open. Wawrinka had to deal with a lot of nervousness. The French-speaking Swiss writes openly: “I was a nervous wreck, I cried before the game. I was getting old, but I didn’t want to let this opportunity pass me by. I was about to throw up.”
The Swiss is one of the best players in history.
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In an era with Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, he won three Grand Slam titles.
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The start went completely wrong. Wawrinka tried to tire himself out physically, not to think anymore. “When you’re exhausted, your brain doesn’t have time to think about all this nonsense. So I tried playing longer rallies and the voice in my head finally stopped.” Wawrinka continues: “That’s basically how I won the US Open.”
Such moments also ensured that Wawrinka has not yet ended his career. He is aware that there are only two or three years left – at most. But Wawrinka wants to enjoy this and win titles. But how? His answer: “I will push myself to the limit.” He only just reached his limit in the game against Francis Tiafoe. After a hard-fought victory, he felt each of his 37 years of age. Wawrinka: “My body was completely exhausted, but all I wanted was to play another match.” Another sign that Stan the Man made the right choice with his renewed comeback.
