By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday May 23, 2022
It was not the result that Stan Wawrinka wanted on Monday in Paris. The three-time Grand Slam champion fell in first-round action to Corentin Moutet, 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2), 3-6, and felt the sting of disappointment.
“Obviously it's a great disappointment to lose in a Grand Slam, but it's the reality of my life now,” he said. “I knew before the match that I needed to work a lot to work physically, to work my tennis. It's not I'm playing badly or I'm not good, but I'm not yet feeling good for matches like that.
Wawrinka began his comeback in late March at the Marbella challenger, and has won two of seven matches, the two triumphs coming at the Rome Masters.
“I always want to do better, I know I could have done better, but it wasn't the case,” Wawrinka said. “I'm aware, as I renewed with training and at the end of March or end of February, beginning of March, I knew it would take time to get back into the competition and to renew with the level where I feel good, I get on court and I'm okay, I'm fit and I'm ready to play a good match.” Despite the loss Wawrinka says he is still enthused about continuing his comeback and finding his best level.
“At my age when you're out of the tour for over a year, you take time to get back to the level you want,” he said. “I know what I want, I know and I'm convinced that I can renew with a very good level because I have many clues that show that I can do it. But it will take months. But I'm not afraid, it's not a problem for me to train hard.”