When Stan Wawrinka walked off No. 1 Court Tuesday evening at Wimbledon following his first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini, the 41-year-old was clearly emotional. It was a memorable moment for the former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who will retire later this year.
“For me, it's the best feeling ever to see the young kids, first, being in tournaments, and of course supporting me. That's always going to be special,” Wawrinka said. “One of the reasons why I kept playing for so long is because of the fans and because the emotion I can get and share with them when I'm playing matches.
“Tonight, again, was really special. Amazing support, amazing atmosphere, playing against Matteo who is a great friend, great guy. We had a good battle, and I'm happy with that match tonight.”
Wawrinka, the World No. 109, expressed his gratitude to tournament organisers for awarding him a wild card, allowing the two-time Wimbledon quarter-finals to compete in the main draw at The Championships one last time.
“It's always special as a player. I think you're always going to feel different here when you arrive. I think the history of the game, the history of tennis is really unique here,” Wawrinka said. “As much as it’s always nice to watch on TV when you're younger, the first time you came here, the emotion you get just by walking around is really special. And more than 20 years later, I still have the same feeling when I come back here.
“I think it's something really amazing as a tournament, for tennis, for the fans, and for us, the players.”
The only Grand Slam trophy missing from Wawrinka’s collection is Wimbledon. But that is not something that has stuck with him.
“I never came to the Slams thinking, ‘Oh, I really want to win that one’. For me, I always came here, wanted to do my best, of course, like the other Slams,” Wawrinka said. “Made quarter-finals couple of times. I think the grass was always a bit more challenging for me, for my game, for also the way I gain my confidence. I like to, I will say, have more time on the court.”
The Swiss noted that earlier in his career, the grass-court calendar was different and he was not always able to gain confidence by playing enough matches. According to him, that was “one of many reasons” why he never performed better at SW19.
“But at the end, I think I did the maximum I could, the same as the other Grand Slams,” Wawrinka said. “I think making [the] quarter-finals was already a great result for me, and I'm happy with what I have achieved here in Wimbledon.”
When Wawrinka first announced this would be his final season, it was clear he would cherish every moment. How has it gone in his eyes?
“I think so far it's been a great year. Is my last year, of course. But I have been playing some good tennis, some good matches,” Wawrinka said. “So I'm quite happy with what's happening so far the first six months of the year.
“Always wanted to be as competitive as possible in all those tournaments, and that's what I'm trying to do until the last tournament. That's for sure. Always trying to push myself, trying to win a couple of matches in that, and we'll see how I can finish the year.”
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