It comes as no surprise that Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner often viewed as the sport’s all-time greatest, referred to Wawrinka as a “legend”.
“Stan has enjoyed an extraordinary career. His competitive drive on the court, along with his gift, strength, force, and accuracy—he possessed every quality,” noted the 39-year-old Serbian, who trained alongside Wawrinka in Basel.
Although Wawrinka possessed the caliber to capture Grand Slam titles, he lacked the unwavering consistency displayed by his iconic contemporaries.
The elite ‘Big Three’ group frequently widens into a ‘Big Four’ to include Andy Murray, the three-time major winner from Britain who reached the top ranking worldwide, secured a pair of Olympic singles gold medals, and conquered the ATP Finals.
Wawrinka acknowledges that he was “quite distant” from forming a ‘Big Five’—a reality supported by the statistics.
While remaining in the top 10 for 267 weeks, capturing a single Masters 1,000 trophy, and securing 15 additional tour titles falls well short of the feats accomplished by Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, it still far exceeds what the vast majority of tennis players could ever hope to attain.
His major victories truly distinguished Wawrinka from most of his competitors—and when paired with his relatable charm and admirable mindset, explain why ‘Stan the Man’ will be recalled as a standout champion in an era of titans where so many others failed to break through.
“Naturally, there will be weeping. Unquestionably, tomorrow will feel like a hangover—not necessarily due to drinking, but rather from the emotional grief,” remarked Wawrinka, well known for his fondness for post-match celebrations.
“However, there comes a time when you must turn the final page.”
