Stan Wawrinka: "Fortunate enough to play against the greatest in history"
Stan Wawrinka has opened up to MSN about his rivalry with the Big Three. And gave his perspective on the GOAT debate for the best.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 27, 2023, 04:53 pm
Stan Wawrinka is definitely one of those players who, purely in terms of net success, undoubtedly suffered massively from playing their best tennis in the same decades in which events on the ATP tour were so significantly influenced by Nadal, Federer and Djokovic was coined. No team of three before has stood for dominance like the much-cited "Big Three". Even if the Swiss don't really want to see it as so negative for themselves.
He always said that he was very lucky to have his career at the same time as these exceptional talents - which, by the way, also includes Andy Murray - the Swiss. "I was lucky enough to play against the greatest players in tennis history," said the Swiss. For him there is no "what if" in sport. The only reality there is is that of results.
Wawrinka on "Big Three"
The admiration for the "Big Three", however, is extremely pronounced: "If we only talk about the game, then Federer stands for talent, lightness and touch. For me, Nadal is strength and power. And Djokovic is a bit of perfection." said the three-time Grand Slam winner, who has won two of his Major titles in finals against Novak Djokovic and one in a clash with Rafael Nadal.
But when it comes to which of these three will go down in history as the GOAT, Wawrinka has a clear perspective: "I think it's difficult to talk about athletes who are still in the race. It's always better that way of lists when everyone has finished their careers. If we only talk about results and victories, Novak will be ahead of the other two," explained the Swiss. "I've been convinced of that for several years, and I think it's right."