By Franklin L. Johnson | Thursday, September 15, 2016
Stan Wawrinka is not the best player in the world yet, but he's already one of the most authentic champions in the game.
Photo: US Open Facebook
Newly-crowned US Open champion Stan Wawrinka could see his own reflection in the silver US Open trophy gleaming in front of him when a Grand Slam ghost from the past sprung back to life.
In his post-final press conference, a journalist asked Wawrinka if he had spoken to good friend Roger Federer before the final for advice on facing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Watch: Stan Wawrinka vs. Jimmy Fallon
"No, I didn't have a chance to chat with Roger," said Stan wearing the bemused smile of a man who has spent countless press conference hearing variations of that "What did Roger say?" theme. "I think Roger is one of my closest friends on the tour. It's not the first time I play Novak. It's not the first time that I play Novak in the big final or important match.
"In the past we talked many times with Roger. He ask me advice. I ask him advice. But, no, I didn't ask him anything. I think I know exactly what I have to do when I play Novak, especially in final of Grand Slam. I need to be ready. I need to be focused and go for it."
The shadow Federer sometimes casts over his Olympic gold-medal winning doubles partner makes the third-ranked Swiss smile these days.
Some journalists may continue to define Stan by his relationship to Roger, but elite opponents know Wawrinka stands alone as a major threat. Djokovic calls him one of the best big-match players in the sport.
"He loves to play in the big matches. He comes up with his best game," Djokovic said. "He's so solid from both corners. He's got a good slice and amazing one-handed backhand, all corners. Big serve. Moves well.
"He's a very complete player. Sometimes if he feels right he doesn't miss much and makes a lot of winners and it's hard to play him."
Overall, Stan strikes me a quiet and modest man. He doesn't like the klieg lights of premieres or media madness that surrounds Slam champions.
Still, Wawrinka's undefeated record in three Grand Slam finals— in all three finals he defeated world No. 1 players—and the fact he can complete the career Grand Slam winning Wimbledon has instilled a quiet confidence in him.
"That's crazy, what happened the last three years; it's crazy for sure," Wawrinka told Charlie Rose after his US Open triumph. "But it took me time to be at my best game. And since three years now, I have the real confidence every time I step on the court. It doesn't matter who's in front of me: I can beat him."
On the surface, Stan looks like a man more comfortable celebrating his US Open success shooting pool and drinking a few beers with his buddies in some downtown bar than swilling champagne with Anna Wintour and swarms of fashion elite behind the velvet ropes at New York City Fashion week.
Therein lies a chunk of Wawrinka's charm.
The impeccably-dressed Federer walks on court like a fashion model walking the catwalk, not a hair out of place, bearing his own regal "RF" branding on his tailored attire. In contrast, Wawrinka trudges onto the game's greatest stages like a rugby player ambling onto the pitch with unkempt hair spiking at odd angles, five-day beard growth sprouting from his face and the raspberry-colored clothes of a man who got dressed in the dark.
While the young Stan aspired to the success and cool aesthetic of his good friend and Davis Cup teammate, one reason why Wawrinka is thriving after age 30 is because he's accepted himself and is comfortable in his own skin.
Many years ago, Stan tried to play tennis like his buddy Roger. He tried to stay cool under pressure, just like Federer. The only problem is he's not the Swiss Maestro.
Wawrinka would bottle up the pressure inside him because a big part of him wanted to emulate that calm, cool demeanor of his friend even though he could be raging on the inside. The result was the better players simply let the pressure overwhelm him. At the key moments at the ends of sets and matches, Stan would emotionally self-destruct, almost on cue. He lost dozens of matches this way.
The fact Wawrinka posted a 4-9 record in his first 13 finals reveals and has won 11 consecutive finals since the start of 2014 is a testament to all the hard yards he's put in on the practice court with coach and former French Open finalist Magnus Norman.
Additionally, Stan's willingness to express and apply his emotions on court, namely to be himself, has been empowering. Whether he's cracking his one-handed backhand down the line, smashing a racket in frustration or pointing to his forehand to punctuate the thought-process of a shrewd shot selection, Wawrinka is willing to share and expose his emotions with fans.
Honesty is a key component of Wawrinka's appeal and success. When asked by Charlie Rose if he believes he can be world No. 1, Wawrinka candidly replied: "No. I won three Grand Slams, but I'm not consistent enough."
Spoken like a man who knows he has won just one Masters championships—beating Federer in the 2014 Monte Carlo final—and realizes he has some work to do before going after the top spot.
Wawrinka is not the best player in the world yet, but he's already one of the most authentic champions in the game. That's another reason why he's become so beloved by fans, who chanted his name during the US Open final.
When Wawrinka is in full flight during his three Grand Slam final victories, no one in the sport has more steel in his spine and ice water surging through their veins than Stan.
If you think that's hyperbole, please go back and watch the video of the Swiss strongman's 60-winner eruption defeating Djokovic in the 2015 Roland Garros final or his four-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final.
Wawrinka's US Open conquest of Djokovic was his 11th consecutive victory in a final.
There's an unwritten rule among the elite now: If you don't get Stan early in majors, then you may never get him at all. He's that good.
The tennis world once typecast Stan Wawrinka as Roger Federer's wingman.
On an electric Sunday night in New York, Stan showed the world why he's his own man.
Tennis Now contributing writer Franklin L. Johnson is a writer, poet and avid tennis player based in New York. He has written about professional tennis for three decades.