Has Stan made it a big five?
Modest Wawrinka plays it cool after US Open win
STAN Wawrinka stood at the top of Rockefeller Center yesterday, his voice hoarse after an evening celebrating his US Open title in Manhattan’s meatpacking district.
The 31-year-old Swiss had spent the previous fortnight reminding everyone that nobody packs a meatier punch than he does, and it had been enough to break down even the extraordinary resilience of Novak Djokovic.
Despite winning three Grand Slams, the same as Andy Murray, the modest Wawrinka still shies away from the suggestion that he is part of a big five in men’s tennis.
‘They have been there for more than 10 years. They have been in all semi-finals and finals of Grand Slams, and all the Masters 1000s,’ said the new champion. ‘I think it’s just not fair. I think the big four stay the big four, it’s part of tennis history.’
he may be selling himself short because he is a specialist in winning major finals, two of them against Djokovic and another against Rafael Nadal.
Wawrinka was reluctant to let Sunday’s fourth-set controversy overshadow his achievements. Djokovic took two medical timeouts to have his toes treated, the first at 3-1 at a nonchangeover before his opponent was about to serve. The Swiss did, however, observe that Djokovic was able to play eight points between calling for the physio and the treatment beginning. The rules state timeouts should be taken only for an ‘acute medical’ condition and the Serb, who looked to have been cramping, had not suffered a sudden injury. American commentator Patrick Mcenroe called it a ‘complete abuse of the rules’. The whole subject has already been raised at ATP board meetings over the weekend, and was an issue throughout the US Open. Jo Konta was allowed a 14-minute treatment break due to what was officially described as ‘dizziness’ during her second round. Djokovic is still well ahead at the top of the new world rankings, and he does not believe his current ailments should hinder him for the rest of the season. he also says the personal issues he has referred to in his private life are behind him. Yet it was noticeable how his wife Jelena, such a fervent supporter at his matches in the past, looked wholly disengaged. Wawrinka’s girlfriend Donna Vekic, 20, could be found in the corridor afterwards, leaning against a wall. ‘I feel dead,’ she said, referring to the exhausting tension of pulling for her partner. Wawrinka said he suffers from chronic nerves before finals, and had been in tears before the match on Sunday. Whatever it is, the anxiety clearly works for him.