‘I’m not like Roger or Rafa – but I can still beat almost anyone’ – Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has had his recent years interrupted by injury. Fit again and captaining his country Switzerland at the inaugural United Cup, he has been speaking about what still motivates him to go on court despite everything.

“The first reason is the fans,” he explained after his team beat Kazakhstan 5-0, “the emotion you get when you play. I think, again, being back in Australia is always a special feeling. The fans are amazing here. They love the sport. They enjoy. They are really here to have fun during matches.

“Tonight was a great atmosphere. I really loved it. I think that’s the first reason why. It’s because I love the emotion that I can get. I’m sure the day I will stop playing tennis I will never find that emotion anymore.

“Then I love the game, the competition, to compete, I love the process to get there. Even if it’s tough, even if you have to push yourself, day by day I think it’s something I really enjoy, to improve, to be at my best, and how to compete at the highest level.

“I want to, for sure, want to try to be back in higher ranking. I don’t know where. It’s tough to say. I’m really far back now, but my level is there. I know I can beat most of the players. I know that when I enter the court I am good enough now and fit enough to beat those guys. Hopefully I can do back to back [wins] many times during the years.”

Wawrinka: I can still win tournaments

And although Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have shown that men can win Grand Slams into the latter stages of their careers, the 37-year-old does not expect to do so himself.

” I think it’s impossible to compare Roger and Rafa with the rest of the players. I think we are all different.

“I had the first big surgery in 2017. I came back to top 20. I was playing a really high level and I was really happy with that. Now I did another surgery. I’m 37 years old, 38 next year. I’m not getting younger. It’s more difficult.

“I do believe I still have some big results in me. I do believe I can win tournaments. I hope I will do this next season.”

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