Stan Wawrinka was honoured by Swiss business magazine Bilan as the Men’s Personality of the Year for the third consecutive year. The 2015 Roland Garros champion talked to Bilan about the impact of the first Grand Slam title at the 2014 Australian Open on his career and the role of his coach Magnus Norman and his fitness trainer Pierre Paganini on his successful career.
“When you win a Slam you write the tennis history. Since I won the Australian Open, my life has changed because I went in another category of players, the ones who win the Grand Slams”, said Wawrinka to Bilan.
In January 2013 Wawrinka lost in a five-hour five-set match against Novak Djokovic with 6-1 5-7 4-6 7-6 10-12 in the fourth round of the Australian Open. At the 2013 US Open Djokovic came back from two sets down to win the semifinal in five sets. Although these defeats were bitter, they were the turning point for Wawrinka who started to close the gap on the “Big Four”. In 2014 the Swiss player took the re-match against Djokovic in the quarter finals of the 2014 Australian Open before claiming his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne thanks to his win in the final against Rafael Nadal.
Wawrinka credited his Swedish coach Magnus Norman and his fitness trainer Pierre Paganini for the step forward he made in his career.
“I was ready to make the following step. Norman changed two or three details in my game, gave me confidence inside myself and tranquillity against the best players. Norman was important but I have been working for ten years with my fitness trainer Pierre Paganini in order to improve the way I did. He has been my mentor during my career”, said Wawrinka.
Last June Djokovic claimed his second Grand Slam title after beating Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros final.
“Having won a second Grand Slam title really increased my reputation and popularity. Only 26 players won two Grand Slam tournaments. Unlike Federer and Nadal I am getting used to manage my image at 29, the age where a man matures. I act in the same way being myself. I have people who will speak to me if I have to be back to stay humble. Tennis has changed a lot in recent years as players reach the maturity later than in the past”.
Wawrinka spoke about the difference between himself and Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. “These four big players have made history in the last decade but I do not underestimate myself. I am Number 4 but they are named like this because of what they have done. I do not try to add myself. I have been in the Top 3 or 4 for two years. In 2014 and 2015 I won two Slams, Nadal one, Federer and Nadal did not win any Majors and Djokovic won the rest of the Grand Slam tournaments. My place is there but I do not try to get near to these legends. During my career I have always tried to make progress. I have to make another step forward to win another Grand Slam. In 2016 the Olympic Games are a big goal. I don’t feel the pressure as I have already won the Olympic gold medal in the doubles in Beijing 2008 with Roger Federer”, said Wawrinka.
