“Roger Federer Really Helped me”- Stan Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka, who has been named ‘Stan the man’, has established himself as one of the feared players on the tour. With his powerful backhand and brutal ground-strokes, Stan Wawrinka is one of the top players on the ATP singles roster. However, he has always been the second player from Switzerland. Wawrinka has been in the shadow of the mighty Swiss Roger Federer, who has enjoyed far more success and popularity thought his career.

Despite being the second best player from his country, Wawrinka reveres Roger Federer as a friend and as a player. “For me it’s always been amazing to be in the same country as him(Roger Federer)”, says Stan Wawrinka in an exclusive and candid interview with Haute. “We have known each other for many, many years”, he continued. “When I arrived on the tour I was still young, still out of the ranking-he(Roger Federer) really helped me a lot.”

Wawrinka also revealed that just sharing the court with one of the greatest players, if not the greatest to grace the sport, has been his privilege. “I had the chance to practice with the best player in the world. He was number one and getting some tips [from him] and some help to get into the tour was great.”

Stan Wawrinka also fondly remembered his memories with the maestro. Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer have teamed up to play doubles for their country at the Olympics. “We also played in the Olympics together and won the gold medal. So for sure it’s something really special”, remembered Wawrinka. “Also the Davis Cup, that we went to together, that was one my favorite moments in my career. So it’s always been special to be around him, to be with him, to be friends him and to play against him.”

However, when it comes to playing against each other, he admits he has had to take some tough losses. “It’s always been really difficult, not only because we’re friends but also because he’s the best player ever to play this game”, says Stan. “And any player who is playing against him has always had some problem”, he continued. “But I think what he’s doing is unbelievable at his age, to still play that well, it’s something that other athletes can look up to too. He’s showing that physically, you can still be at the top”, he added.