The Swiss clearly dominated the Briton (6-4, 6-4, 6-2) on Sunday evening in the first round of Roland-Garros, for the first night session of the 2024 edition.
“We’re not young anymore so we try to make the most of it”. Signed Stan Wawrinka, 39, following his victory against Andy Murray, 37, Sunday evening in the first round of Roland-Garros. The Swiss won in three sets against the Briton (6-4, 6-4, 6-2), in this duel of living tennis legends. In the next round he will meet the winner of the duel between Cameron Norrie (32) and Pavel Kotov.
As for Andy Murray, former world number 1, he has not passed the first round at Porte d’Auteuil since 2017, when he was eliminated in the semi-finals by… Stan Wawrinka. For his return in 2020 after his hip operation, he took the front door, eliminated by… Stan Wawrinka. He who missed the 2021 to 2023 editions due to injuries has therefore just left Paris for the third time in a row due to the same man.
Six Grand Slam titles on court
This first night session of the 2024 edition of the French Open looked good. It brought together on the court Philippe-Chatrier on one side the winner of the 2015 edition and the finalist of the 2017 edition, on the other the finalist of the 2016 edition. No less than six Grand Slam titles to them two.
More powerful, fairer, more consistent, Stan Wawrinka never seemed in difficulty on this Philippe-Chatrier court that he knows by heart. This did not prevent him, as usual, from showing great fair play when greeting his opponent at the net.
“A lot of emotion when we play again”
If he did not want to reveal anything about what he said during the long handshake, affirming that “it’s too private”the former world number 3 claims to have “much respect for this immense champion” : “As a tennis fan, I enjoyed watching him, seeing him win titles, battling with the greatest players of all time. We had big battles for 15-20 years so obviously there is a lot of emotion when we play again.
Asked about his physical freshness at 39, Stan Wawrinka said he wanted to continue for “playing here in front of this kind of audience”which had the gift of provoking an ovation from the Philippe-Chatrier court. “It gives me a lot of emotion and courage to continue, he continues. I am passionate about this sport, I am the oldest in the table but in my head I am still a child. When I experience moments like that I just want to continue.”
