A decade after winning the Roland Garros, Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka is pleased to re-live one of his career-best showings in the Grand Slam where he feels most at home.
The three-time major champion who turned 40 two months ago, has been battling his inevitable decline in form and will play Paris on a rare wild card entry for a “foreigner.”
The French-speaker from near Lausanne is hoping to turn in a respectable performance as he competes here for the 20th time,
“Was I surprised? Yes, of course, because they do not give that many wild cards to foreigners,” he said on Friday.
“I’m very happy. It’s very enjoyable to be part of a French Open again.
“On the court here I feel at home. The French Open has always been exceptional for me.I’m very happy to take part this year.”
He added: ” I’ve always enjoyed tremendous support in a number of French tournaments. I get great support. The atmosphere is lovely. I feel close to them.”
The veteran has been plugging away this season, not too proud to step down to the Challenger level when necessary.Â
He reached the final at Aix en Provence in early May but lost in the Bordeaux first round last week
Wawrinka is more than happy to keep going for as long as possible in his sport.
“I’m not one to look into the past much, especially when I’m still a player. I have to live in the present.
“It’s been 10 years (since his Paris title). This year I’ve been reminded a lot
about it.
But this is not something I tend to think about every day.
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“If I take my age and my physical condition today, I feelreally well. I would like to have better results.Â
“You have to train more for results that are not as good as before. You need to rest more to be able to train more.
This is life as it is. If I’m still able to play, as I’m 40 now, this is not so common.Â
“So I know where I’m standing, I know how challenging it can prove to be. It’s a good challenge to try and still have good performances at my age.”
