Slow and steady wins the race is the new motto of three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka this season.
The 32-year-old Swiss player is currently in the process of a comeback to the tour from knee surgery. His return started last month at the Australian Open when he lost in the second round to Tennys Sandgren. Since then, Wawrinka has experienced a roller coaster in his matches. A week after reaching the quarter-finals of the Sofia Open, he fell in the first round of the Rotterdam Open to a player ranked outside of the top 250.
“I’m far from the level I want to be at, both physically and competitively. I have a lot of work to do, and it’s going to take time to do it.” Wawrinka told open13.fr.
Wawrinka’s next task takes place at the Open 13 in Marseille. An ATP 250 event where he is the top seed following the recent withdrawal of David Goffin. Despite his position as the highest ranked player in the field, Wawrinka will be the first to admit that he isn’t the title favourite. The last time he reached a final of a tournament was at the French Open six months ago.
Despite the setback, things are looking up. No longer troubled by pain in his knee, Wawrinka is confident that his form is improving every day. His ultimate goal is to return to the player that claimed a trio of major titles and reached a high of third in the world.
“My knee, my movements, my push-off, my pain levels: everything has improved a bit. I’m back in the game, I’m finding my bearings, I’m working on my reflexes. But I’m still not where I want to be.” He explained.
“As I said, I knew it would take time. Unfortunately, there’s no miracle solution when it comes to time. And training isn’t the only thing that counts – matches are also important, for reflexes and changes in direction.”
Wawrinka, who received a bye in the first round, will get his campaign underway against Ilya Ivanska on Thursday. A Belarusian qualifier that is yet to crack into the top 150. On paper, it should be a straightforward victory for the Swiss, but he is taking nothing for granted as he aims to achieve his goal set this season.
“My biggest challenge is accepting my current level. I’m trying to stick to the programme, so I can keep moving forward. The fact that I’m competing again means that I know I’ll be able to beat good players again one day.” Said Wawrinka.
“My goal is to keep fighting and making progress every day.”
This week Wawrinka is bidding to claim his 17th ATP title and his first since the Geneva Open.
