I am really motivated for 2015 season: Wawrinka

Stanislas Wawrinka — AFP

Dubai — Having broken the stranglehold of the Big Four in the tough world of men’s tennis, an unassuming Swiss became a trendsetter. His stunning Australian Open triumph in January this year gave new hope to the second-rung players who seemed destined to suffer in an era dominated by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and the imperious Roger Federer.

Stanislas Wawrinka changed all that with incredible skills and great determination as he sucked the life out of a feisty Serb – Djokovic – in an epic five-setter in the quarters in Melbourne before dismantling Nadal in the final with an audacious display of shot-making. That unforgettable win heralded a new dawn and by the time the year’s last Grand Slam — the US Open — finished, we had another new champion in Marin Cilic. Wawrinka, who would start the new season at the three-day Mubadala World Tennis Championship (January 1-3) in Abu Dhabi, didn’t shy away from admitting that his maiden Grand Slam win played a part in changing the tennis landscape.

“Of course, it’s a bit different now. The Big Four has been in the scene for many, many years now. 2014 was really different with two new Grand Slam winners. I think Roger, Novak and Rafa are still the better players. But the emergence of players like Cilic, (Kei) Nishikori, (Grigor) Dimitrov has been really good for the game,” the Swiss said during an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times on Monday. So, will it be another open race for the Slams in 2015? “Well, you never know what you are going to get. Rafa, Novak and Roger are going to fight for the Slams again. But yes, the new players are going to make it interesting.”

The 29-year-old Lausanne-born player then revealed the joy of having a year like 2014. After all, he became only the second player after Andre Agassi to win the first Grand Slam title and the first Davis Cup title in the same year. “My year was amazing. The start was unexpected. The Australian Open title and later the Davis Cup win were so memorable. It was such a big year for me. I enjoyed so much. I was very lucky to get to that level.

“Now I am really motivated for the 2015 season. I want to do well in all the tournaments. But it’s going to be difficult with so many top players around. I will try to have a good schedule and win tournaments. My aim will be to play in the later stages of big events,” added the world number four.

Wawrinka, who can proudly count John McEnroe among the biggest admirers of his sublime one-handed backhand, says winning the Davis Cup for Switzerland with Federer was one of the biggest highlights of his career. “Roger had such a huge influence in the team. He is the best player ever. So to be able to win the Davis Cup with him is an incredible feeling.

“I have always said that Davis Cup for me is very important. It’s such a prestigious tournament. So to win against France in France was a big challenge. We are so happy with the end result.”

Wawrinka is no more living in the shadow of his 17-time Grand Slam-winning compatriot Federer. “Life has definitely changed for me after the Australian Open. I suppose things change when you win a Grand Slam, achieve a career high number three ranking in the world, finish the year at number four and win the Davis Cup. There are more people now on the streets (in Switzerland) who recognize me and stop me to take a picture. It’s okay. It’s part of tennis. I am happy because I have been able to do some good things in the sport I love.”

rituraj@khaleejtimes.com