Three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka still believes he has the ability to compete alongside the best in the world, according to his coach Magnus Norman.
Wawrinka, 33, has experienced an injury-hit season that came to an early end last week due to a back problem. The Swiss player underwent two operations on his knee in 2017 and missed a further two-and-a-half months (February – May) this year to undergo rehabilitation. Due to his absence from the tour, he fell down to as low as 263rd in the world during the summer.
“It’s been a tough season.” Norman said during an interview with journalist Jonas Arnesen.
“We got back together in April. The knee injury he had was a tough one, so to see him back on the court in January was amazing. The team felt like there was a lot of work to be done and there still is a lot of work to do, but he’s been so motivated throughout the year.
“Has been pushing really hard physically, but even more mentally with his body and the knee.”
The past 12 months hasn’t always been a nightmare for Wawrinka. He has scored two wins over top 10 player Grigor Dimitrov at both Wimbledon and the US Open. On the tour this year Wawrinka has reached two semi-finals in Sofia and St. Petersburg, as well as the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.
Rising back up the rankings, it was injury once again that derailed Wawrinka. Preparing for the Swiss Indoors, he picked up a back issue during a practice session that forced him out of the tournament. Prompting him to make a decision to end his season early.
“We had a consultation with the team, the Physio and doctor. We decided that we didn’t want to risk anything at the end of the season.” Norman explained.
“We really want to go into the end of the season in a positive mindset with a healthy body.”
Despite another setback, former world No.2 Norman believes Wawrinka can return back to his very best. Citing the examples set by both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Both of whom have won grand slam titles after being sidelined with injury for six months.
“I think Stan feels if they can do it, he can do it. I feel that he is very motivated and stills feels like he can produce good tennis. He feels like he’s missing a few percent here and there physically and tennis wise.”
Wawrinka is set to kick-off the new season at the Doha Open. An ATP 250 event that is hosted at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. It will be the first time he has played at the event since 2008.
“He Is very motivated for next year. He is already talking about the off-season and pre-season. He wants to try to prepare as well as possible for 2019. The whole team is looking forward to next year.” Norman concluded.
During 2018 Wawrinka achieved a win-loss record of 17-17. He is currently ranked 68th in the world. Meaning that he will finish the season ranked outside the world’s top 50 for the first time since 2005.
Full interview
Original source – http://goodtogreat.se/en/journal/stan-is-very-motivated-for-next-season/
