Grand Slam winner doesn’t hesitate to name favourite to face between Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer
Three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka has had his fair share of matches against tennis’ big three. Seventy-five, to be exact. AFPWawrinka endured his fair share of defeats against tennis’ big three[/caption] Unfortunately for Wawrinka, his record against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer makes for grim reading. Of those 75 matches he played against them, he lost 63. Despite the bleak record, Wawrinka felt one member of the legendary trio was more favourable to come up against. “It depends on how you’re going to take my answer because I think I lost more than 20 times to Novak, but he’s the one I was feeling happy to play,” Wawrinka said on the Nothing Major podcast. “Even though I lost in the 2014 ATP London final 6-0, 6-3, I enjoyed playing against him. “He hits the ball so cleanly. You feel like even if he destroys you, you are kind of happy because you played the perfect tennis player in front of you.” Statistically speaking, Wawrinka is not wrong. Djokovic is the one member of tennis’ big three he had the most success against, as the Swiss star picked up six wins in the 27 times they played. In fact, two of Wawrinka’s three grand slam triumphs came thanks to victories over Djokovic in the final. Wawrinka ousted the Serbian superstar in four sets to win the French Open and US Open in 2015 and 2016 respectively. GettyWawrinka labelled Djokovic as his favourite to come up against[/caption] Having revealed his personal favourite to play against, it was only right Wawrinka shared which of Federer and Nadal he dreaded. “Well, they’re all bit so tough,” Wawrinka said. “We all have been there, but I think Rafa on clay at the French Open (was the toughest). Especially high on the backhand, nonstop. “You feel like he’s coming at you every single ball. You don’t see any option how to put any winner, how to put him out of the court.” Wawrinka’s remaining grand slam title, the 2014 Australian Open, came against Nadal in the final. It was one of just three wins against the legendary Spaniard for Wawrinka from their 22 encounters. Grand slam titles won since Wimbledon 2003 Novak Djokovic: 24 Rafael Nadal: 22 Roger Federer: 20 Carlos Alcaraz: 4 Andy Murray: 3 Stan Wawrinka: 3 Jannik Sinner: 3 Daniil Medvedev: 1 Dominic Thiem: 1 Marin Cilic: 1 Juan Martin del Potro: 1 Andy Roddick: 1 Gaston Gaudio: 1 Marat Safin: 1 However, the 39-year-old did register one win over Nadal on the latter’s favourite surface of clay when they met at the Rome Masters in 2015. As for Wawrinka’s record against his countryman Federer, he won three to the latter’s 23. The Swiss pair are close friends now, but they had an ugly encounter in 2014 owing partly to Federer’s wife, Mirka. During their ATP Finals semi-final clash, Wawrinka accused Mirka of trying to distract him prior to his serve. Such was Wawrinka’s frustration, he appeared to air his grievances with the chair umpire. Multiple reports claimed Mirka labelled Wawrinka a ‘cry baby’ during the contest. Mirka Federer was at the centre of controversy when her husband played Wawrinka in 2014Getty Federer ultimately prevailed in three sets, but Wawrinka revealed things were ‘very, very tense’ in the aftermath between the pair. “Very, very hot, very, very complicated, on both sides,” Wawrinka told RMC in 2022. “It’s a good thing there were no cameras in the hallways and locker rooms back then.”
Three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka has had his fair share of matches against tennis’ big three.
Seventy-five, to be exact.
Unfortunately for Wawrinka, his record against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer makes for grim reading.
Of those 75 matches he played against them, he lost 63.
Despite the bleak record, Wawrinka felt one member of the legendary trio was more favourable to come up against.
“It depends on how you’re going to take my answer because I think I lost more than 20 times to Novak, but he’s the one I was feeling happy to play,” Wawrinka said on the Nothing Major podcast.
“Even though I lost in the 2014 ATP London final 6-0, 6-3, I enjoyed playing against him.
“He hits the ball so cleanly. You feel like even if he destroys you, you are kind of happy because you played the perfect tennis player in front of you.”
Statistically speaking, Wawrinka is not wrong.
Djokovic is the one member of tennis’ big three he had the most success against, as the Swiss star picked up six wins in the 27 times they played.
In fact, two of Wawrinka’s three grand slam triumphs came thanks to victories over Djokovic in the final.
Wawrinka ousted the Serbian superstar in four sets to win the French Open and US Open in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Having revealed his personal favourite to play against, it was only right Wawrinka shared which of Federer and Nadal he dreaded.
“Well, they’re all bit so tough,” Wawrinka said.
“We all have been there, but I think Rafa on clay at the French Open (was the toughest). Especially high on the backhand, nonstop.
“You feel like he’s coming at you every single ball. You don’t see any option how to put any winner, how to put him out of the court.”
Wawrinka’s remaining grand slam title, the 2014 Australian Open, came against Nadal in the final.
It was one of just three wins against the legendary Spaniard for Wawrinka from their 22 encounters.
Grand slam titles won since Wimbledon 2003
Novak Djokovic: 24
Rafael Nadal: 22
Roger Federer: 20
Carlos Alcaraz: 4
Andy Murray: 3
Stan Wawrinka: 3
Jannik Sinner: 3
Daniil Medvedev: 1
Dominic Thiem: 1
Marin Cilic: 1
Juan Martin del Potro: 1
Andy Roddick: 1
Gaston Gaudio: 1
Marat Safin: 1
However, the 39-year-old did register one win over Nadal on the latter’s favourite surface of clay when they met at the Rome Masters in 2015.
As for Wawrinka’s record against his countryman Federer, he won three to the latter’s 23.
The Swiss pair are close friends now, but they had an ugly encounter in 2014 owing partly to Federer’s wife, Mirka.
During their ATP Finals semi-final clash, Wawrinka accused Mirka of trying to distract him prior to his serve.
Such was Wawrinka’s frustration, he appeared to air his grievances with the chair umpire.
Multiple reports claimed Mirka labelled Wawrinka a ‘cry baby’ during the contest.
Federer ultimately prevailed in three sets, but Wawrinka revealed things were ‘very, very tense’ in the aftermath between the pair.
“Very, very hot, very, very complicated, on both sides,” Wawrinka told RMC in 2022.
“It’s a good thing there were no cameras in the hallways and locker rooms back then.”
