STAN WAWRINKA: “IT’S A DREAM TO PLAY HERE”

Written by: Staff on 8th November 2014

BNP Paribas 2014 Masters Tennis Tournament

STAN WAWRINKA: "IT'S A DREAM TO PLAY HERE"

epa04469973 Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland returns the ball to Kevin Anderson of South Africa during his round of sixteen match at the BNP Paribas 2014 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 30 October 2014. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

( Original Link and Credit to the ATP: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/11/45/London-Finale-Wawrinka-Preview.aspx )

One year removed from his first trip to The O2 for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Stan Wawrinka is back and will be looking to cap a career-year with a strong finish in London.

Wawrinka admits that he returns to the season finale in a slightly different role from last year, having qualified in fourth position in the Emirates ATP Race To London, following his maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open and first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo. Both achievements have launched the Swiss to new heights in 2014 and have made him a serious contender in any tournament.

“It’s been an amazing year for sure,” said Wawrinka, on Friday in his pre-tournament press conference. “I’m really happy and I wouldn’t change my year for anything. To win a Grand Slam and be No. 4 in the world, for me it’s been a great year. Monte-Carlo was completely different. Winning an [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 on a clay court and against Roger was something really special. That was part of the amazing memories of this year.”

Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka in action against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin during their first round match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 21 October 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS

Overall in 2014, Wawrinka has amassed a 36-15 record, including a 6-1 mark against fellow Top 10 competitors. His three titles in three finals, in Chennai, Melbourne and Monte-Carlo, nearly doubled his previous career total. Despite enduring a stretch of late-season struggles, the 29 year old understands that learning to maintain consistent play throughout the season is a critical aspect of being a top player.

“It’s been bigger than the other years, winning a Grand Slam and an [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000, and it changes your life and the way you see [the game]. You need to find a way to adapt, find a way to feel good and play well in all the tournaments. I hope next year I can have even better results in every tournament.

“Last year I had such an amazing year, playing so many matches and winning so many matches, from Portugal and Madrid to all those tournaments and that’s where you get the confidence and I hope next year I can play even better.”

Wawrinka enters his second campaign at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals following a semi-final finish last year, falling to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Placed in Group A alongside Djokovic, Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych, he opens against the top Czech in Monday’s day session.

“I’m really excited. It’s a dream to play here. It’s a big chance. This year was different from how I qualified last year, so I’m excited to have the chance to play here again.”

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10sBalls_com says:

November 8, 2014 at 10:21 am

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