Stan Wawrinka is in love with the ‘process’ of tennis
Stan Wawrinka is still enjoying life on the ATP Tour and is constantly amazed at the differences in the way players prepare and play.
Wawrinka says that he has always enjoyed every aspect of the game including training and getting ready for tournaments and opponents.
He says that love of the sport and his work keeps him going.
In a recent interview with the ATP Tour’s media department, Wawrinka opened up on his approach.
When asked if he enjoys himself more now than when he started, Wawrinka insisted he has always relished being a tennis professional.
“I think I always enjoyed it” he said.
“I think I’ve always been passionate about that. I never forgot why I started when I was young. It was to play a game. [Swinging] a tennis racquet with balls against someone, it’s the game, it’s the sport. Even if some days are not that easy, you always have to push yourself. You have to have great discipline.
“I love the work, I love the process to get there too, so I’m lucky and happy that I enjoy what I have to do to be at my top level and also when I play matches, it doesn’t matter which court, which big stadium, small stadium. For me I always enjoy it and I always appreciate the sport.”
Wawrinka feels that he has to keep giving his all to the game because once you stop playing it becomes almost impossible to return.
He says that he still feels ‘young in life’ and wants to enjoy his career.
He said: “I think you need to see it as the big picture. The day you stop your sport there is no return. There is no way back, because it’s impossible to stop after 30 and then try to come back. It’s almost impossible, it’s so tough. And then you have to see [what is] also tough [is] I’m getting really old for my sport. [But] I’m still really young in my life.
“After tennis, there are still so many years to do other stuff, so all together, I want to enjoy as much as possible. It’s a privilege to be a tennis player. It’s a privilege to be playing at that level, to be playing in the biggest tournaments in the world. As long as I’m feeling competitive with what I’m doing, that I feel like I can beat the top players, I’m enjoying that.”
After an injury layoff, Wawrinka has been working his way back to his best and he says that he now feels very competitive.
“I know that when I enter the court, most of the time I can beat my opponent,” Wawrinka said.
“I’m not young anymore. Things are a bit more difficult also to keep going back-to-back-to-back days, to push through a tournament.
“But I still believe that I can win tournaments. I don’t know which level of tournament, but of course I want to win a trophy before stopping.”
Wawrinka faces Holger Rune in the Indian Wells Round of 32 on Monday 13 March.
