By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday October 3, 2024
World No.236 Stan Wawrinka – aka the Stanimal – has seen better days. But that doesn’t stop the 39-year-old from being a wildly entertaining player to watch. The three-time major champion is a fan favorite who is adored by fans across the globe for his big heart and big game. Even if the wins don’t come as frequently as they once did.
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Case in point: Thursday’s win over bomb-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Shanghai Masters. The Swiss battled through two tiebreaks to become the third-oldest player to even win a Masters 1000 match.
Good news for the Stanimal, who will face Italy’s Flavio Cobolli next.
Wawrinka hit 13 aces and saved all three break points he faced, as he overcame the disappointment of missing out on all six of his break point opportunities to defeat the rising Perricard in one hour and 47 minutes.
It was his 574th career ATP win.
“Allez!” shouted Wawrinka after match point, the crowd roaring in response.
Wawrinka’s sixth victory of 2024 against 13 losses is proof that the former World No.3 still has plenty of game – even if he doesn’t have it all time.
“I’m not getting younger,” he said. “So I try to keep pushing myself. I’m happy with the match tonight. I think it was a really good level. It was one of the best matches of the year for me.”
Wawrinka is the eighth oldest player to ever contest a main draw at a Masters 1000 since the category was started in 1990. If he can hang around for another year he just might become the oldest…
He said the difference was confidence in both tiebreaks and making the first move.
“Small things only. The confidence with yourself, with the decisions you are going to take,” he said. “There were a lot of matches with a lot of opportunities this year that I was a little bit too much on the defense with myself – not confident. Tonight I was going for my shots, I was playing simple but really solid and that made the difference.”
Wawrinka jokes about his level, but he seems to know deep down that he’s doing quite well for his age. He’s been through his share of knee surgeries as well. Watch him play at his best and you’ll likely be wowed at the quality of the strikes he produces when he is confident and loose.
Frankly, he’s a great draw for any tournament he plays. Hence the wild card. Fans line up to watch, and thank him for his efforts.
And he’s still got that charm.
“I know I’ve been having a super shit year,” he said with a smile during his on court interview. “I know where I am. But I think, in general, my practice level is quite good. Fitness-wise and tennis-wise I’m playing well. I’m enjoying when I’m playing and trying to push myself.
“Of course I want to be better in the ranking and I want to keep winning more, but sometimes you need to accept what’s happening. The only thing I can do is practice more and try to get better. Hopefully I can win more matches this year and try to finish Top 100.”
