“But I want to enjoy every moment. Because if I stop, there’s no going back,” is what Stan Wawrinka thinks about his ongoing run. While Rafael Nadal announced his retirement at the age of 38, the Swiss ATP star still has enough motivation within himself to keep going. Although his season was full of roadblocks including an opening-round defeat at the US Open, he has pressed the pedal once again, this time surpassing the Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer.

Stan Wawrinka attained a remarkable milestone at the Swiss Indoors Basel by breaking Roger Federer’s record for the oldest match winner in the tournament’s history. The 39-year-old Swiss veteran secured this achievement by defeating Adrian Mannarino in an exciting first-round match.

Wawrinka took down the Frenchman 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and therefore marked his first win against Mannarino, who already held a dominant 3-0 head-to-head record over him.

Despite being close to the end of his amazing career, the three-time grand slam champion is showing no signs of slowing down. He continues to be on top of his game by showcasing impressive performances even though he acknowledges that his overall level has dropped from his peak years. “I know I’m not at my best anymore, but I still love competing,” Wawrinka said earlier this year, making his passion clear.

Wawrinka stunned the fans at the Stockholm Open by making it to the semifinals. He defeated top seed and World No. 7 Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. This victory was his first top-10 win since the 2023 Cincinnati Open. His solid form continued at Basel, where he made history by surpassing Roger Federer’s record. Federer had previously set the record in 2019, the same year he won his tenth title at the Swiss Indoors by beating Alex de Minaur in the final.

However, this wasn’t the first time he oozed confidence about his current form.

Stan Wawrinka makes a confident admission about his form

Stan Wawrinka recently rolled back the years with a gutsy 7-6, 6-4 victory over Andrey Rublev. This marked the first time in over a year that he has won three consecutive matches. Wawrinka’s last similar run came in 2023. Reflecting on his impressive win, Wawrinka expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the crowd. “I was feeling good on the court, but it’s never easy to play Rublev. He is such an amazing player, so it was a very tough match, but I am happy to win. It was an amazing atmosphere, which helped me a lot,” he said after the match.

Wawrinka’s win over Rublev also marked a major milestone in his career as it made him the second oldest player to defeat a top-10 rival. While Rublev has been a consistent force on tour, Wawrinka managed to overcome him with his experience and skill. However, the journey to this point hasn’t been easy for the Swiss veteran. He opened up about the challenges he faced earlier in the year, including a lack of confidence that made it difficult for him to string together wins. “I am getting old, I know that. But I am still feeling competitive on the court, and I am pushing myself to keep performing well and keep my level,” Wawrinka shared, accepting the hurdles he’s had to overcome.

This run in Stockholm has been a turning point for Wawrinka. He noted that winning back-to-back matches for the first time this year was a major boost. “I have always said that just one or two matches can turn around your confidence,” he explained. With his eyes set on continuing his strong form, Wawrinka remains focused on preparing for the challenges ahead. “Tomorrow is going to be another question, and I need to rest and do everything possible,” he added. As the 39-year-old continues to move ahead, it remains to be seen what other records he breaks on the way.