Stan Wawrinka is already 37 years old but he still keeps doing what he loves the most and that's playing tennis.
The three-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland had different health problems that prevented him from competing at the highest level and caused that he's currently ranked 150th in the ATP Rankings. However, Wawrinka still has a passion for the game and he showed it at the United Cup with a solid win against Alexander Bublik. Asked about his motivation to continue playing, he said:
“The first reason is the fans,” Wawrinka said about his motivation. “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."
“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.”
The Swiss player then made a further explanation when he said that it's impossible to compare the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who managed to win Grand Slam titles at a similar age, to the rest of the players, including him.
”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," Wawrinka said.
"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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