Athens
Wawrinka: ‘A very powerful factor is loving what you do’
Swiss displays on inspiring the subsequent technology of stars
November 04, 2025
Martin Dagahs/ATP Tour
Stan Wawrinka overlooking the town of Athens.
By ATP Employees
Stan Wawrinka penned an emotional social media submit after final month’s Swiss Indoors Basel about his ardour for tennis. It’s that perspective that has led many younger gamers to look as much as the 40-year-old and attempt to turn into just like the three-time main champion.
What would his message be for these making an attempt to comply with in his footsteps?
“I feel on the finish an important [thing] is loving what you do,” Wawrinka instructed ATPTour.com on the Vanda Prescription drugs Hellenic Championship in Athens. “It’s having fun with the method, having fun with the street. [Being a] tennis participant, it’s an incredible life. When you’re enthusiastic about your sport, it’s so particular to have the ability to journey the world to play tennis.”
There’s a new crop of Swiss gamers rising by means of the PIF ATP Rankings who grew up watching Wawrinka carry out on the highest stage and have been capable of take up classes from the previous World No. 3 as they’ve joined him on Tour.
Leandro Riedi and Jerome Kym reached the fourth spherical and the third spherical of the US Open, respectively, whereas 18-year-old Henry Bernet received this yr’s Australian Open boys’ singles title and this week competed in the identical occasion as Wawrinka in Athens.
“For me it’s at all times superb to see the brand new technology coming,” Wawrinka mentioned. “I’m so comfortable additionally to have the prospect to play with them and to play in opposition to them. It’s at all times particular as a participant to have the ability to play completely different generations.
“You at all times hope that extra gamers will come — extra younger gamers will come — as a result of that’s what you wish to see.”
There are numerous followers of Wawrinka around the globe. ’Stan the Man’ is a large fan of the game himself, and mentioned “for the followers it’s been superb to look at]” tennis this yr.
“There are completely different generations enjoying in opposition to one another,” Wawrinka mentioned. “In fact you’ve gotten Sinner and Alcaraz on the prime of the rankings, however Novak remains to be there making an attempt to maintain attaining superb targets, so it’s at all times particular.
“You’ve gotten so many various personalities, completely different gamers enjoying this recreation, in order a fan of tennis, you possibly can solely get pleasure from that.”
Loads of followers will get pleasure from Wawrinka’s showdown Wednesday in opposition to second seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian should win the Athens title to earn the ultimate qualification spot for the Nitto ATP Finals.
“He has a [big] problem in entrance of him for getting there and it’s necessary for him in fact,” Wawrinka mentioned after his first-round win in opposition to Botic van de Zandschulp. “It’s an enormous problem [facing him]. He’s enjoying so effectively. I’ve watched him play many matches this yr, so I’m trying ahead to enjoying him and seeing the place I’m.”
