Wawrinka talks about retirement again: I want to push my limits!

At 40 years old, born on March 28, 1985, Wawrinka has been a professional tennis player since 2002, making this his 24th year competing on the pro tour.

Playing alongside the Big Three generation, Wawrinka seized three Grand Slam trophies from them at his career peak — the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open.

During his first Grand Slam victory at the 2014 Australian Open, he first defeated Djokovic, then Bertich in the semifinals, and finally overcame the top seed and world number one Nadal in the final with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. This triumph elevated Wawrinka’s world ranking to a career-high third place.

His 2015 French Open win was equally impressive, as Wawrinka eliminated strong contenders like Federer and Tsonga en route to the final, where he staged a comeback to beat world number one Djokovic with 59 winners, lifting the Roland Garros men's singles trophy for the first time.

In his 2016 US Open championship run, Wawrinka faced his toughest opponent in the final — Djokovic. He came back from behind to win 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3, claiming his third Grand Slam title in his career.

Looking at Wawrinka’s three Grand Slam victories, he defeated at least one member of the Big Three each time. His powerful one-handed backhand became a nightmare for many players; in other words, when in form, Wawrinka has the ability to beat any opponent.

Of course, like the Big Three, as he aged and faced various injuries, Wawrinka struggled to regain his best form in the following seasons. In recent years, his play has been inconsistent with slow starts, often putting him at a disadvantage.

Undoubtedly, Wawrinka is now in the twilight of his career, but even so, he has never left the tennis courts he loves. When asked repeatedly about retirement, Wawrinka openly stated that his goal is to break through his own limits.

“I really hope to continue competing next year, but ending my career is a very personal decision. Everyone should follow their own feelings. I just want to say that when the day I retire comes, you will naturally know.”

“For now, my priority is to maintain my best condition to go as far as possible in tournaments. Of course, the chances of winning in Challenger events are obviously greater than in ATP Tour events. Regardless, I always hold personal goals, and for me, that means unlocking my full potential.”

It is reported that Wawrinka will participate in his hometown tournament for the 18th time this week. He appears in the ATP 500 Basel singles draw, with his first-round opponent being Kecmanovic. Fans look forward to seeing Wawrinka play several matches at his home event!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Barbie)