Stan Wawrinka 'Embarrassed' By Comparisons To Andy Murray And Big Three
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Stan Wawrinka does not think he should be compared to Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic and believes it is particularly disrespectful to Murray.
Wawrinka's incredible career has included winning three Grand Slam titles at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open. He defeated Djokovic twice and Nadal once in the finals to claim those titles.
The 39-year-old also won the 2014 Davis Cup alongside Federer. In an interview last year, Federer recounted how some of the losing French players complimented him after the final and deliberately tried to exclude Wawrinka, something the 20-time Grand Slam champion called a "ba***rd thing."
Wawrinka's career sometimes gets compared to Murray, who coached Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, because they both won three Grand Slams. Murray obtained the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon and 2012 US Open titles.
However, the Briton achieved more than Wawrinka outside the Grand Slams. He won two singles Olympic gold medals, secured the 2016 ATP Finals title, and finished as the year-end world No. 1 in 2016.
Those factors are why Wawrinka does not like when sections of the media put him and Murray on the same level or claim they were part of a "big five" with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, broadly viewed as the three best players in tennis history.
Wawrinka made that clear during an appearance on the Nothing Major Podcast with John Isner, Steve Johnson, Jack Sock, and Sam Querrey. The 39-year-old feels embarrassed when compared to Murray and the others.
"I was embarrassed when people talked about the ‘big five’ or put me on the same level as Andy Murray. I’m miles away from what they have achieved, and I think it’s a little disrespectful to them and especially to Andy."
"I've achieved more than I could have ever dreamed of in my career, but I’m so far away from what they’ve done."
Those comments show why Wawrinka has established himself as one of the most well-liked and humble players on the ATP Tour. Being successful never stopped him from remaining a nice, down-to-earth person.
Although Wawrinka is right about Murray, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic's careers being more statistically successful, it is important to note that the Swiss is a legend of the sport in his own right and deserves to be remembered as such.
Wawrinka does not talk up his achievements much because of his humble nature, but winning three Grand Slams during one of the toughest eras in tennis history was incredible and is something that will never be forgotten.
The former world No. 3 also had one of the most thrilling games to watch in his prime. Wawrinka's one-handed backhand is viewed as the best ever by many, ahead of other legendary one-handed backhands like Richard Gasquet and Federer's.
Despite not being near his best anymore, Wawrinka continues to compete hard. The most recent example was an opening-round defeat at the ongoing Montpellier Open. He turns 40 in March, but that has not impacted his determination to keep playing.
