Swiss professional tennis player Stan Wawrinka recently shared his thoughts with AFP ahead of his 19th French Open appearance. The 39-year-old discussed his experiences playing against and sometimes beating the ‘big three’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Wawrinka is set to face Andy Murray in the first round of the tournament, making him the only player outside the ‘big three’ to have won three Grand Slams since Federer’s first in 2003.
While the focus leading up to the French Open has been on Nadal’s potential retirement and Djokovic’s poor recent form, Wawrinka recognizes that tennis is on the brink of a new era. With Federer having retired in 2022 and Nadal likely playing his last season, the sport is primed for a changing of the guard. Djokovic, despite being world number one, has not won a title in 2024 and has recently turned 37, indicating a shift in the tennis landscape.
Wawrinka reflected on the challenge of competing against the ‘big three’ and emphasized the importance of constantly improving to beat the best. Having won three Grand Slam titles by defeating Nadal, Djokovic, and Djokovic again in different Grand Slam events, Wawrinka understands the level of dedication and skill required to achieve such success. He praised the longevity and professionalism of the ‘big three’ in maintaining their dominance over a decade.
In light of Nadal’s injury struggles and Djokovic’s recent lackluster performance, Wawrinka acknowledged the rise of younger players like Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz. At just 22 years old, Sinner has already made a name for himself as a Grand Slam champion, while 21-year-old Alcaraz is quickly rising in the ranks. Wawrinka expressed his admiration for the young talents and believes they have the potential to take over the tennis world in the coming years.
As the French Open approaches, Wawrinka anticipates a competitive tournament with the emergence of new talent and the potential exit of longstanding champions. He believes that the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz have what it takes to dominate the sport but acknowledges that only time will tell. With the landscape of tennis evolving, Wawrinka is excited to see how the next generation of players will shape the future of the sport and continue to push the boundaries of excellence on the court.
