Point Man: Stan Wawrinka on Origin of his Trademark Celebration Gesture

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, May 22, 2026
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty

Preparing for his French Open farewell, Stan Wawrinka shared the origin of his famed power point.

If you watched Wawrinka win any of his three career Grand Slam crowns, then you know he frequently celebrated massive major victories pointing his index finger to his temple.

Eleven years after he stunned Novak Djokovic in a brilliant backhand barrage to capture the 2015 Roland Garros crown, Wawrinka met the media in Paris today.

The 41-year-old Swiss standout was asked how and why he began celebrating victories as a point man.

“I believe the first time was in Australia in 2014,” said Wawrinka, who defeated No. 1 Rafa Nadal in the 2014 AO final. “It came to me naturally. It was more a gesture of celebration to show that I had won against my own emotions, my own head, to beat the best.

“And I managed to win matches, big matches against big players whom even though I played well, I didn’t manage to win against because of my mind, because of my emotions.

“So this was what it meant at the time.”

Wawrinka will square off against French phenom Arthur Fils in a blockbuster Roland Garros opener.

“It’s a great opportunity to play a last time on the center court against a top player of the new generation,” Wawrinka said of Fils. “He’s a top player, and he’ll probably be an even greater player in the future, which is the reason why I’m still playing tennis. I still hope to play a good match.”

Could Stan the Man call on a museum artifact to aid his French Open farewell?

Asked if he will wear the famed plaid red-and-white Yonex shorts he wore during his 2015 Roland Garros title run that saw him topple Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic in succession, Wawrinka left the door open.

“Well, I’ll ask the [Roland Garros] museum [where the shorts are displayed],” Wawrinka said. “I’m not
sure. Maybe we can wash them before. But I didn’t think about this. I’ll think about it between now and Monday.”