Stan Wawrinka had an extensive conversation with Eurosport France during the Montecarlo tournament. An opportunity to review your career and address various topics.
Among them, he spoke about having been in the shadow of Roger Federer: «All I know is that I grew up in Switzerland and developed my career being a Swiss, in Roger’s shadow, which was not easy either.
I have had positive and negative things. I have always tried, as far as possible, to get the positive out of each situation.
In my case, I think it was a great luck – at least I have lived it – to have Roger in the same country, have the best player of all time nearby.
But that does not mean that it was easy. So, returning to the question, I just can’t answer it.
He could not change the fact that Roger was there, that he was the best player of all time. We cannot decide the results of other players, those of our generation.
All we can do is focus on our career. That is what I have always done. And I have always wanted to be the best version of myself.
I was lucky to share a lot with Roger, to play at the Olympic Games, the Davis Cup …
I was lucky that he was already on top when I arrived at the circuit, I trained a lot with him, I spoke a lot with him about tennis and other things. I always tried to get the positive out of the situation.
So I will always say it was a great luck ».
Stan Wawrinka on Roger Federer’s shadow: A Perspective on Swiss Tennis and Legacy
In a candid interview with Eurosport France during the Monte-Carlo tournament, Stan Wawrinka offered a revealing glimpse into his career, touching on the significant influence of Roger Federer. The Swiss tennis star, now a celebrated champion in his own right, discussed the unique position of building his career in the shadow of arguably the greatest player of all time. Wawrinka’s reflections offer valuable insights into the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level and the complex dynamics of a sporting rivalry, even within the same nation.
wawrinka acknowledged the complexities inherent in the situation, stating, “All I know is that I grew up in Switzerland and developed my career being a Swiss, in Roger’s shadow, which was not easy either.” He thoughtfully considered the advantages and disadvantages, saying, “I have always tried, as far as possible, to get the positive out of each situation.”
He further elaborated, stating, “In my case, I think it was a great luck – at least I have lived it – to have Roger in the same country, have the best player of all time nearby.” This highlights the unique opportunity for growth and learning that Federer’s presence provided. However,Wawrinka also recognized the inherent challenges: “But that does not mean that it was easy. So,returning to the question,I just can’t answer it.” He highlights it was difficult to change the fact that Federer was, and is, the best of all time. He simply focused on his own journey.
Wawrinka emphasized his personal strategy: “All we can do is focus on our career. That is what I have always done.And I have always wanted to be the best version of myself.”
Sharing a positive spin on the situation, Wawrinka highlighted the benefits, “I was lucky to share a lot with Roger, to play at the Olympic Games, the Davis Cup…” He cherishes the shared experiences.He further added how lucky it was that Federer was at the top when he arrived in the circuit. He trained with him a lot and discussed with him about tennis as well as other things. He was always trying to get the positive out of the situation and he is grateful.
“So I will always say it was a great luck,” wawrinka concluded.
To better understand the impact of this “shadow” and Wawrinka’s achievements, consider the following:
| player | Grand Slam Titles | Highest ATP Ranking | Head-to-Head vs. Federer | olympic Medals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Federer | 20 | 1 | 23-3 (vs. Wawrinka) | 1 Gold (Doubles), 1 Silver (Singles) |
| Stan Wawrinka | 3 | 3 | 3-23 (vs. Federer) | 1 gold (Doubles) |
Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
This section answers common questions to provide additional context and clarity.
- How did Roger Federer influence Stan Wawrinka’s career?
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Federer’s presence provided Wawrinka with a unique opportunity to train and learn from a champion. While being in Federer’s shadow presented challenges, wawrinka utilized the situation to his benefit, focusing on his progress and striving to reach his full potential. This also helped Wawrinka to prepare for the biggest competition of his life.
- What are Stan Wawrinka’s greatest achievements?
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Wawrinka has won three Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open (2014), the French Open (2015), and the US Open (2016). He also reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 and won a gold medal in men’s doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Roger Federer.
- How many times did Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka play each other?
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Federer and Wawrinka played each other 26 times in official ATP and Grand Slam matches. Federer leads their head-to-head record 23-3.
- Did Wawrinka and Federer ever play doubles together?
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Yes, Wawrinka and Federer were a formidable doubles team, winning the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They also played Davis Cup together.
- What does Wawrinka mean by ‘shadow’?
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Being in Federer’s “shadow” refers to the constant comparison to a player widely considered the sport’s greatest. It implies the challenge of gaining recognition and achieving individual success while playing in the same era in this very way a dominant figure.
- did Wawrinka feel overshadowed by Federer?
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While the term “shadow” implies a challenge, Wawrinka focused on the advantages, using the opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
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