WATCH: Stan Wawrinka tears up – ‘I know it’s so stupid to cry’
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka came up short in the Croatia Open final against Alexei Popyrin and then delivered an emotional speech during the trophy presentation ceremony.
Having struggled with injury and form over the past two years, Wawrinka finally enjoyed an extended run at the ATP 250 event in Umag as he reached his first final since October 2019.
After taking out fourth seed Roberto Carballes Baena and second seed Lorenzo Sonego en route to Sunday’s showpiece match, the Swiss came unstuck against Popyrin as the Australian won 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes.
The defeat came 17 years after Wawrinka won his maiden ATP Tour title at the same tournament in July 2006 after he got the better of Novak Djokovic in the final.
Unsurprisingly it was an emotional post-match trophy presentation ceremony as the veteran said: “I won my first title here, a long, long time ago, always some great memories to come back.”
And then it tears started to roll as he continued: “Guys, thank you so much. I know it’s so stupid to cry, but I love this sport so much and you make it really special.
“Amazing week. Really, hopefully I can come back and thank you for the support during the week. Thank you for being here and hopefully I see you next year.”
Wawrinka has won 16 ATP Tour titles with the last of those coming in May 2017 at the Geneva Open in Switzerland. He had slipped out of the top 300 in the ATP Rankings following injury woes and poor form, but has made steady progress this year.
After starting the year at No 148, he is now back in the top 50 following his run in Umag, sitting at No 49.
Popyrin, who won his second ATP Tour title, paid tribute to the 38-year-old Wawrinka.
“It’s an unbelievable honour to play somebody like Stan in a final,” the 23-year-old, who has moved up to No 57 on the back of his title run said.
“I grew up watching him, Roger [Federer], Rafa [Nadal], Novak [Djokovic] play. To play him in a final and beat him in a final, words can’t describe how happy I am. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Popyrin struggled with cramping and the humid conditions during the match so was delighted he came through.
“All tournament I’ve been fighting battles that I don’t know how I won,” he said. “This one tops it all.
“My quad was done at 2-1. I felt it cramp, I felt it strain. I think it’s pulled, but I managed to dig deep. I don’t know how I won it, honestly. I honestly don’t know.”
