NEW YORK – Stan Wawrinka says he refuses to count himself among
the longtime elite of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and
Andy Murray, despite defeating Djokovic 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in
the US Open final yesterday.
Even after notching a second grand slam title at the expense of the
world number one Serb – and a third overall – Wawrinka said he could
not be counted among the sport’s true stars.
“They’ve not only been winning, (they) are in semi-finals, finals
every time. That’s why I’m not there. I don’t want to be there. But
I’m trying the best I can with my career.”
The 31-year-old, who played despite being in pain but refused to show
any of his suffering to his good friend Djokovic in a four-hour
struggle, said that he was nevertheless pleased with what he had
achieved.
The current world number three refused to worry about possibly
someday earning the number one ranking when asked by journalists
after the final.
“My best ranking was number three. I’m way too far back to even think
about being number one. Novak is number one, he’s winning two or
three Grand Slams a year.”
Wawrinka said that hard work – and plenty of it – is his only option.
“I’m trying every day, day by day, practising hard, trying every
match to win. The result will come because I’m fighting with myself
to improve, to be a better tennis player.
“This year I’m playing way better than last year. I never dreamed to
win a grand slam until I won the Australian Open (in 2014). It was
never a dream because for me it was way too far.”
– DPA
