Stan Wawrinka, born on March 28, 1985, is a distinguished Swiss professional tennis player known for his remarkable achievements on the court. He has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in singles, showcasing his talent and determination. Wawrinka has claimed a total of sixteen ATP Tour-level singles titles, including three prestigious Grand Slam titles: the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open, and the 2016 US Open, where he triumphed over the world No. 1 player in each final.
In addition to his Grand Slam success, Wawrinka earned an Olympic gold medal in men's doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, partnering with the legendary Roger Federer. His contributions were pivotal in securing the Swiss team's victory at the 2014 Davis Cup, further solidifying his status as a key player in Swiss tennis history.
Wawrinka's impressive career also includes reaching the final of the 2017 French Open and winning a Masters 1000 title at the 2014 Monte-Carlo Masters. He has reached the finals of three other Masters tournaments, demonstrating his consistency and skill on various surfaces. Wawrinka considers clay to be his favorite surface, and his powerful serve and backhand are often highlighted as his standout shots.
Renowned tennis commentator John McEnroe has praised Wawrinka's backhand, calling it one of the most powerful in the sport and even labeling it the best one-handed backhand in the game. The Economist has referred to him as 'tennis's great latecomer,' as he found his greatest success in his late twenties and early thirties. In a significant move prior to the 2014 French Open, Wawrinka officially changed his name from 'Stanislas Wawrinka' to 'Stan Wawrinka,' opting for a more concise name for tournament draws and press engagements.