As the sun sets on an illustrious career, Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka embarks on his farewell season with nostalgic reflections and profound gratitude. The 40-year-old champion, currently competing in his final professional tournaments, recently sat down with Khaleej Times in Dubai to discuss his remarkable journey through tennis’s most competitive era.
Wawrinka’s career represents one of tennis’s most compelling narratives – a persistent challenger who secured three Grand Slam titles during the unprecedented dominance of the ‘Big Three’ (Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer). His triumphs include defeating world number ones in all three major finals: Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open, Djokovic at the 2015 French Open, and Djokovic again at the 2016 US Open.
Now competing on wildcard entries, Wawrinka expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support from global fans during his final matches. ‘The most important thing is to be competitive and play well because I remain a competitor who likes to win,’ Wawrinka stated. ‘I’m happy with my level and incredibly grateful for the wildcards and fan support throughout Australia, France, and Rotterdam.’
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships holds special significance for Wawrinka, who claimed the title in 2016 after an epic final against Marcos Baghdatis featuring a legendary 15-13 tiebreak. ‘Dubai was always one of the premier tournaments that I aspired to play,’ he recalled. ‘Winning here was particularly special, and I’m grateful for this final opportunity to compete before the Emirati audience.’
When reflecting on his late-career breakthroughs, Wawrinka emphasized the uniqueness of each athlete’s path. ‘I focused on pushing my limits without imposing barriers,’ he explained. ‘The beauty of tennis lies in its diverse career trajectories – there’s no single formula for winning Slams or reaching the top ten.’
The Swiss star also discussed the emerging dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, noting ‘there is no limit’ to their potential achievements. Regarding his relationship with Roger Federer, Wawrinka acknowledged his compatriot’s profound influence: ‘We practiced extensively together and discussed tennis strategy frequently. Our Olympic gold medal and Davis Cup partnership created unforgettable memories.’
Despite fan debates comparing their backhand techniques, Wawrinka humbly dismissed suggestions that his surpassed Federer’s. As his career concludes, Wawrinka leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, sportsmanship, and one of the most elegant single-handed backhands in tennis history.