After a late morning session at the Jean-Bouin club, which adjoins Roland-Garros, Stan Wawrinka presented himself in the small room of the press center in front of a dozen journalists. Many Britons, who wanted to know more about the upcoming clash on Sunday against Andy Murray.
A 24th clash between the 39-year-old Vaudois and the 37-year-old Scot, the fourth at Roland-Garros including an epic duel won (6-7 [6]6-3, 5-7, 7-6 [3], 6-1) in the semi-finals in 2017. “It’s a very good showing, I’m very happy to play against him, I think it’s going to be a good match. »
But the press conference took on a whole new dimension when Wawrinka was questioned by a Swiss colleague about his difficult season – 3 victories, 9 defeats, Challengers included. There was this setback (6-7 [3]6-2, 7-6 [5] against Nicolas Jarry, then 21st in the world, in Buenos Aires in February, who made him crack. “If it weren’t for these emotions, good or more difficult, it would be completely different. This is why I continue. I was in Argentina, the public was singing my name…”
“I really didn’t want to be on the field”
Stan Wawrinka, on his withdrawal from Rome
And on May 1, his series of nine victories against Albert Ramos-Vinolas ended at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger. “It marked me because I had a series of bad defeats. It stopped me from wanting to push myself, to jostle myself. » And the 97th in the world, winner of Roland-Garros 2015, confided that he did not withdraw from the Masters 1000 in Rome for an injury to his right wrist, as announced by the ATP. “After two days, I came home because I didn’t really want to be on the field. »
He then went to the Bordeaux Challenger and then to Paris. Perked up but with a few questions. “Mentally, physically, tennis-wise, I feel very good. I have the desire, but obviously, we will have to start winning matches. If the results do not improve, we will have to ask ourselves two or three questions but I am really positive because my level of play can be very good. It’s up to me to find the solutions. »
