By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday, October 3, 2024
World No. 236 Stan Wawrinka – aka Stanimal – has seen better days. But that doesn’t stop the 39-year-old from being a hugely entertaining player to watch. The three-time major champion is a fan favorite who is adored by fans around the globe for his big heart and big game. Even if the wins don’t come as often as they used to.
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Case in point: Thursday’s win over French bombshell Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Shanghai Masters. The Swiss battled through two tiebreaks to become the third-oldest player to win a Masters 1000 match.
Good news for Stanimal, who will next face the Italian Flavio Cobolli.
Wawrinka hit 13 aces and saved all three break points he faced as he overcame the frustration of missing all six of his chances to beat the surging Perricard in one hour and 47 minutes.
This was his 574th career ATP win.
“Alez!” Wawrinka shouted after match point, the crowd roaring in response.
Wawrinka’s sixth win in 2024 against 13 losses is proof that the former World No.3 still has plenty of game – even if he doesn’t have it all the time.
“I’m not getting any younger,” he said. “So I try to keep pushing myself. I am satisfied with the game tonight. I think it was a very good level. It was one of the best games of the year for me.”
Wawrinka is the eighth-oldest player ever to take a main draw at a Masters 1000 since the category’s inception in 1990. If he can hang on for another year, he just might become the oldest…
He said the difference was confidence in both tiebreaks and the first move.
“Just little things. Confidence in yourself, with the decisions you will make,” he said. “There were probably a lot of games this year where I was a little too defensive with myself – not sure. Tonight I was going for my shots, playing simple but really solid and that made the difference.”
Wawrinka jokes about his level, but seems to know deep down that he’s doing pretty well for his age. He’s also had his share of knee surgeries. Watch him play at his best and you’ll likely be amazed at the quality of shots he produces when he’s confident and free.
Honestly, he’s a huge draw for every tournament he plays. Hence the wild card. Fans line up to watch and thank him for his efforts.
And he still has that charm.
“I know I’ve had a super bad year,” he said with a smile during his court interview. “I know where I am. But I think, overall, my practice level is pretty good. In terms of fitness and tennis, I’m playing well. I like it when I play and I try to push myself.
“Of course I want to be better in the rankings and I want to keep winning more, but sometimes you have to accept what’s happening. The only thing I can do is practice more and try to improve. Hopefully I can win more matches this year and try to finish Top 100.”
