Wawrinka for a cracker against Djokovic: ‘I will enjoy it as long as I don’t get killed’

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This poster makes the hearts of all tennis fans beat faster. Cheers erupted at Wimbledon when the speaker announced after Stan Wawrinka (38) won four sets against Tomas Martin Etcheverry (23/6:3, 4:6, 6:4, 6:2) that the next opponent was now Novak Djokovic (36 ) is mentioned. A top duel on Center Court, one with history, one with great taste!

It’s Wawrinka’s biggest match in years – and the emotional pinnacle of suffering for so long. The last time he reached a third round in a Grand Slam tournament was at the French Open in 2020. Knee and foot problems kept him busy for a long time. He did not return until March 2022, after a whole year without participating in a tournament.

Wawrinka is currently experiencing the umpteenth spring of his career, which is adorned with three Grand Slam titles and few on the tableau of this year’s Wimbledon edition. Besides the Vaud native, only Djokovic (23 titles), Andy Murray (3), Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem (1 each) have also triumphed at the main level.

Wawrinka has already been given legendary status by many a competitor and his reputation on the tour is immense. Not least because of the duels with his upcoming opponent.

Big wins against Djokovic

Wawrinka’s Djokovic file is quite thick: it is full of special encounters. For each of his three Grand Slam victories, “Stan the Man” defeated the Serbs: 2014 in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, 2015 in the final of Roland Garros and 2016 in the final of the US Open.

However, the overall statistics speak clearly against Wawrinka. He won only 6 of 28 matches. In the on-site interview, he immediately jokes, “Don’t tell me the score!” Then he adds with a laugh, “I’ll enjoy playing Djokovic as long as I don’t get killed.”

Wawrinka repeatedly emphasizes his role as an outsider. He asks the media, “Have you guys seen Novak play? Just tell me one weak point in his game.” And further: “I just love watching him. It’s just great.”

Premiere on grass

Asked how he could stop Djokovic on his way to the eighth Wimbledon title – Roger Federer’s record – he says: “I will have to unpack my very best tennis. That was a long time ago. It will be interesting to see what I can do even more.” At least on a mental level, the two should still meet at eye level. Both have amply demonstrated that they can never be written off in five-part form.

It is the first match between Wawrinka and Djokovic at Wimbledon and even on grass. Stan says: “We’ve had big fights at other tournaments, but I’ve still missed a game here on Center Court. I’m glad this gap is closing now.” And then – with a wink – he stacks extra deep: “I’ll play against Novak tomorrow. And I will keep an eye on him for the rest of the tournament.”

Source : Blick