Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland addressing the media during a press conference held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha yesterday. Picture: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Grand Slam star Stan Wawrinka became the World No. 3 – his best jump in rankings – in January 2014.
The Swiss won the Australia Open the same year and clinched the French Open and US Open titles the following two years, stamping his name as a three-time Grand Slam champion.
But since then a Grand Slam trophy has eluded the 34-year-old.
Not just that, Wawrinka – a regular member of the top 10 in previous years – has been struggling to break into the elite list after injury issues hampered his progress following last year’s US Open where he shocked top seed Novak Djokovic to enter the quarter-finals.
The Swiss - currently ranked No.15 - begins the year as top seed at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open where he launches a campaign to reenter the top 10 bracket and possibly a Grand Slam title in 2020.
“I hope so, I am working out for it,” Wawrinka said at a press conference at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex yesterday.
“I am close to top 10 at one stage and go far at the same time. I want to play very well throughout the year. But the year is very long year,” he added.
Wawrinka – the only Grand Slam winner playing in Doha this year – will face Jeremy Chardy or a qualifier in his opening match of the 2020 ATP Tour season. He will begin as hot favourite to clinch his maiden Qatar ExxonMobil Open title, but the Swiss downplayed the tag.
“I am focusing on my doubles. I am practising well and hoping to play my best tennis. This is the first tournament of the year and I am here to enjoy and see where I am,” he said.
“I am trying to improve, trying new things to improve in my career,” he added.
Most of the top ranked players, who are regular visitors to Doha, are busy playing the inaugural ATP Cup, which has clashed with the Qatar event this year.
Wawrinka too could have been a part of the glitzy event Down Under had his compatriot Roger Federer not withdrawn from the competition.
The 2008 finalist in Doha said he is happy to play the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
“It is always been a good tournament here with top players taking part in it. This time it is different because of the ATP Cup first season and players are already there in Australia playing the ATP Cup. I think I enjoy playing here a lot. This tournament is very good for players because of good conditions. It good give preparations (for the new season). I am happy to be here,” he said.
Wawrinka, meanwhile, didn’t jump to conclusion amid the calls from players including the top duo of Rafael Nadal and Djokovic to merge the Davis Cup and ATP Cup.
“It was the first edition of new Davis Cup and it is the first edition of ATP Cup. You need to see after the two tournaments. You need to try to do something (new),” Wawrinka said.
