By Chris Oddo | @Thefanchild | Friday 23 May 2025
Paris – Stan wawrinka has faced the biggest players his extraordinary generation has ever produced. He has fought Novak Djokovic in the finals collided, and Roger Federer in Wimbledon. But a challenge stands long, above all, according to Wawrinka: Facing Rafawel Nadal in Roland-Garros.
“I think his results speak for themselves,” the triple champion of Grand Slam said on Roland-Garros Media Day. “In my career, the most tremendous challenge was to deal with Rafa in clay, especially in French Open. It has always been very difficult.”
The Swiss went 1-8 against Nadal in Argila, and 3-19 in general. He remembers his latest match against Nadal in Paris, one 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, jumping into the final in the 2017 final, alive.
“I remember the last game we played, was the final in 2017,” he said. “It was very difficult. He’s so safe, so strong. He knows exactly what to do when playing in Clay. It’s been my biggest challenge ever.”
40-year-old Wawrrinka is happy to be part of the main draw, even if he knows that his Grand Slam days are behind him.
“If I get my physical age and condition today, I feel really good,” he said. “I would love to have better results. I think I’m doing what is needed. Everything is a little longer. You have to fix. You need 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 am still able to play, as I am 40 years old, this is not as common. So I know where I am staying, I know how challenging it can prove to be.
The 2015 Wawrinka champion will face the UK Jacob Fearnley in the first round in Paris.
