It was the year 2016. Stanislas Wawrinka had entered his maiden US Open final and was set to face the top seed, Novak Djokovic, in the summit clash. The Swiss star had defeated Djokovic during the previous season to win his maiden French Open title.
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On this occasion too, Wawrinka prevailed over the Serb in a thrilling four-set battle, handing Wawrinka his maiden US Open title. Recently, he opened up about his title-winning run in the United States.
Stanislas Wawrinka on his US Open 2016 journey
During an interview, the Swiss star talked about his maiden US Open title victory. He said, “I met Novak again in the final at the 2016 U.S. Open. It’s funny, because I had turned 31, so I was supposed to be past my best, yet this was my third Slam final in three years. Just like at Roland Garros, I thought this could be my last big one. Also, it was the U.S. Open, so I was like, I haven’t won this one before. I can’t lose this.”
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Further, he added, “Mentally, I was drained, because those two weeks had been really hot and humid, and I’d had tough matches against del Potro and Nishikori. I was a nervous wreck, because I was getting old and this was an opportunity I felt I could not miss. So yeah, I felt terrible. I wanted to throw up.”
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Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates the second set point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Men’s Singles Final Match on Day Fourteen of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Talking about his victory over Djokovic in the final, Wawrinka said, “Novak took the first set 7–6. Eventually, I hit my best level. I knew that I was still thinking too much, so the only solution was to make myself physically tired. Basically, when you’re exhausted, your brain doesn’t have time to think about all this bulls***. So I tried to play longer rallies, and the voice in my head finally shut up. That’s basically how I won the U.S. Open. After four sets, it was over.”
Wawrinka handed a wildcard entry at Wimbledon 2022
The former World Number 3 has entered the main draw of men’s singles at Wimbledon after getting a wildcard entry. Later today, he will face Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the first round of the tournament. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top in this battle between youth and experience.
