Sensible Stan rationing his wrapup tournaments

Stan Wawrinka is thinking through his schedule as the three-time Grand Slam winners plays out his last ATP season.

The 41-year-old will return for a final visit when the Monte Carlo Masters gets underway on Sunday.

The Swiss wil be playing his 116th edition at the Principality, where he won the title over compatriot Roger Federer, in 2014.

Wawrinka got in a training session on Centre Court at the Monte Carlo Country Club, wiht both crowd-pleasers playing with wild cards.

“He’s one of my oldest friends on the Tour, Wawrinka said on Saturday. “we now each other and our games so well.

“We had an amazing time together in training for one last time here.”

Wawrinka, who won a round last month in Dubai and had left the emirate before drone attacks from neighbouring Iran began, said that he is rationing his schedule in his windup season.

“I didn’t request a wild card for Miami (which ended at the weekend with Jannik Sinner lifting the title).

“I didn’t want to travel that far, it’s not that easy anymore.

“If I want to play the full year physically and mentally fit, I felt it was better not to play there.”

The No. 98 opens play on the clay against Sebastian Baez, with the winner to face top=-seeded holder Carlos Alcaraz.