‘He deserves more’ – Former world No 1 adamant retiring tennis star should not be forgotten
Stan Wawrinka has been told he doesn’t get the acclaim a three-time Grand Slam champion should get after retiring from tennis.
The 41-year-old bowed out of the sport after more than two decades as a professional with an emotional farewell at the Basel Open last week.
While he spent the last few years of his career further down the rankings, even playing in Challenger events, Wawrinka will be remembered as the single-hander who held his own against the ‘Big 3’ on the biggest stage.
Indeed, beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (twice) to win his three majors takes some doing. The former world No 3 spent a long time in the shadow of his fellow Swiss Roger Federer but forged an impressive career of his own.
As he prepares for life after tennis, eight-time major winner Jimmy Connors has paid tribute to the ‘Stan the Man’, while adding that he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
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He said on Advantage Connors, “I don’t think he got what he deserved. We forget that he is a three-time Grand Slam champion and who he beat to win them. He was beating the best.
“Most people went to the two-handed backhand, and he came out with that topspin one-hander and the way he manoeuvred the ball. He was fun to watch. You never knew what he was going to do.
“He had power; he could mix his shots up. I am going to miss him. The way he played and what he brought to the game. A lot of guys, after they win a Grand Slam and they get a little older, and you don’t perform up to standard.
“You get older, and you become forgotten a little bit. I am glad you brought him up because I don’t think he should [be forgotten].”
Wawrinka, who turned pro in 2002, ended up winning 590 matches on tour and bagged 16 titles along the way. He will well and truly bow out of tennis at an exhibition in Geneva in December, alongside Federer, Gael Monfils, and Andy Murray.
While his career is over, Wawrinka will not be forgotten.
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