Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Stan: I know I can beat every player but I’m way off No 1
A LACK of year-round consistency is likely to ensure that three-times grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka does not topple Britain’s Andy Murray from the top of the rankings, the Swiss has said.
Murray recently ended Novak Djokovic’s 122- week spell as World No 1 but might still need to win the final ATP tournament of the year in London to ensure he finishes the year at the top of the rankings.
Wawrinka, who won his third grand slam title by beating Djokovic at the US Open this year, has been drawn in the same group as Murray at the ATP Finals, but feels he does not have the consistency to leap to the top of the rankings.
“I don’t think so. Right now I’m 31,” the World No 3 Wawrinka said when asked whether he could become the top- ranked player. “I know I can beat every player, I need to do it more often in the year if I want to think about that, but so far I’m way off that.”
Wawrinka expected the 29- year- old Scot, who won Wimbledon and his second Olympic gold medal as well as six other titles this year, would handle the pressure of being No 1 and was the man to beat at the O2 Arena in south- east London.
“The ranking never lies. He’s been winning a lot this year, more than any other player, so he deserves to be number one,” Wawrinka added.
“He did really well with the pressure... so he knows how to deal with it. I’m sure he would love to win the world ATP title here in London. I think every player tires at the end of the year but if you look at the last few tournaments, he’s in top form, a lot of confidence to take to this tournament here so he will be tough to beat.”
Djokovic’s crown may have slipped but the Serb appeared to be in a serene mood ahead of the ATP World Tour Finals.
The 29- year- old is one of eight tennis stars set to compete at the O2 Arena from tomorrow and he took to Instagram to show off his piano- playing skills, while announcing: “London here I come!”
The five- time champion will also face Frenchman Gael Monfils and Canada’s Milos Raonic during the round- robin stage of the competition.
Djokovic will be aiming to regain his spot at the top of the world rankings after losing his No 1 status to Murray following his defeat to Marin Cilic in the quarter- finals of the Paris Masters early this month. – Reuters, Daily Mail