Stan Wawrinka Opens Up on ATP Politics

The week before the Australian Open 2019, the ATP men took part to look into the political issues prevailing in professional tennis and the paramount issue was regarding the renewal of the contract of the ATP tour president and chief executive, Chris Kermode. The Swiss, Stan Wawrinka who is now through to the second round at the Tennis Paradise in California and in his press conference there, he was interrogated upon his views regarding the renewal of Kermode’s contract. Also, he was distressed with the decision of the board who decided to not to extend Chris Kermode’s tenure.

Stan Wawrinka believes that Kermode’s service has been phenomenal for professional tennis. “Yeah, I think, yeah, I’m really, really sad and disappointed about that,” Stan Wawrinka said. “If you look at what Chris achieved for the tennis, for every player, for every fans, for everyone around the tennis, it’s been amazing. So it was really sad news yesterday morning.”

The World Number 40, Stan Wawrinka also mentioned about the perspectives of his fellow colleagues who are against the notion of retaining Chris Kermode. “No, that’s, I would say, the funny part. I also read what player representatives said right now. It’s not like there is another option yet, or at least I don’t know. So I would say it’s surprising and strange. So I would like to know exactly what they think about after because that’s the most important thing. When you change someone from that spot, from that place, who are doing so well since a few years, you need to have other option, or at least give something,” Stan Wawrinka added. Since the Swiss, Stan Wawrinka is not part of the board, he did convey a precise reply in the context to his retention. 

Besides that, Stan Wawrinka was asked to express his perspectives over the existing politics and the problems in the governance of the sport. He gave his opinion about the council which is involved in putting things in place and also mentioned that some of the officials are not deserved to be part of the board.

“I think, yeah, for sure, there is some problem in general in politic, in tennis, in governance in the board, in everything,” Stan Wawrinka said. “There is a lot of things happening that I don’t think they are right. But at the same times, we have a council with players that are doing a lot of work, a lot of time for it, and they take the decision. So if you want to change that, you need to be on the council. I’m not in the council, so I cannot really talk too much about it, because I’m not spending the hours and the times that they are doing. I also know that there are some people in the board that shouldn’t be in the board.”