Wawrinka Has Retired His Miniature Travel Companion

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 25th January 2014

Wawrinka Has Retired His Miniature Travel Companion

epa04037753 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in action during his match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the semifinals of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2014. EPA/MARK DADSWELL |

Stanislas Wawrinka has confirmed that the plastic Homer Simpson miniature which figured in many of his tweets in recent years, has been officially retired. In fact the television series cartoon action figure was essentially put out to pasture – likely in a drawer several seasons ago, with only his memories lingering on among Stan fans.

There was a brief re-appearance prior to the year-end ATP finals in London last November, with Homer proudly “posing” in the O2 arena venue.

“It’s been a long time since he’s not on the tour anymore,” said Wawrinka, who has lined up a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final with Novak Djokovic after the pair played to a 12-10 fifth-set win for the Serb at Melbourne Park a year ago.

Wawrinka used to post pictures of Homer in various tennis situations around the world of the ATP. But after a season, there was nothing left to tell.

“I did that three years ago I think,” said Wawrinka. “I had him all the year with me, every tournament. It was just a way to show my life a little bit different. I did all the pictures that I could on the tour. If I kept doing it, they would be the same pictures, so it would not be funny at all.”

While Homer is “retired” he’s not quit forgotten: But Wawrinka struggles to remember exactly where he parked the figure, saying he’s got it “somewhere.”

And just to clarify, Homer was just along for the ride, not as any king of good luck charm: “I’m not superstitious,” said Wawrinka.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News