By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 1, 2024
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Stan Wawrinka spends his tennis golden years enjoying ongoing love affair.
The three-time Grand Slam champion conquered British wild card Charles Broom, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in his Wimbledon opener to hit his way into history.
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Contesting his 71st career Grand Slam, Iron Man Stan Wawrinka became the 10th man in Open Era history to reach the Wimbledon second round at aged 39 or older.
Since Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Cliff Drysdale did it back in 1980, only three men aged 39 or older have advanced to the Wimbledon second round: Dr. Ivo Karlovic in 2018 (aged 39 years 137 days) and 2019 (aged 40 years 136 days), Roger Federer in 2021 (aged 39 years 337 days) and Wawrinka.
At age 39 years, 108 days, Wawrinka says there's a simple reason he keeps playing: He's in love with tennis and pours his passion out on court.
"I still enjoy what I'm doing. I love playing tennis," Wawrinka told the media at Wimbledon today. "I love having the chance to play in the biggest tournaments in the world. Of course, I didn't have the best result this year. But as much as I enjoy what I'm doing, I think there is enough reason to keep playing."
While many players his age have already stepped off the Tour treadmill to have families and pursue other interest, Wawrinka says he's living the dream and doesn't want it to end.
"I don't want to go home. Playing tennis was a dream when I was young," Wawrinka said. "Being a professional athlete was a dream. Now I'm there, there's no way I'm going to just stop because I am bored of it.
"I love what I'm doing. I'm passionate about the sport. I want to keep pushing myself as much as I can and see where I can go."
Wawrinka will try to continue his Wimbledon ride against fellow veteran Gael Monfils in a second-round shotmakers' duel.
The 22nd-seeded Monfils won an all-French first-rounder against flat-hitting left-hander Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
The 37-year-old Monfils and 39-year-old Wawrinka have split six career clashes, could this seventh meeting be their final Slam showdown?
Playing his 18th Wimbledon, Wawrinka said he's totally invested in now.
"Yes, good to be back. Happy to be back here and to have won the first match," Wawrinka said. "It's not easy match, but happy to get through in three sets."