‘I played all of tennis’ big four – I know who the toughest opponent of them all was'

Stan Wawrinka was concisely the 5th subordinate of tennis' elite successful the mid-2010s, truthful he's amended placed than astir to sanction which of the icons of the crippled was the astir formidable

Tennis seasoned Stan Wawrinka has revealed who helium considers the toughest hostile of his career.

Wawrinka is present nearing status astatine 39 pursuing a 23-year-long stint successful which he's played immoderate of tennis' greats. That of people includes the 'Big Three' of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, arsenic good arsenic Andy Murray.

Despite being a compatriot of Federer, the Swiss prima has hailed Nadal arsenic his astir formidable foe, peculiarly connected the clay courts wherever the Spaniard usually reigned supreme. He explained his prime connected the Nothing Major podcast.

"Well, they person each been truthful tough, but I deliberation Rafa astatine the French Open was peculiarly challenging," helium said. "I played him successful the last successful 2017 and I was perpetually watching the clock, hoping to scope the one-hour people earlier helium won.

"It's particularly pugnacious with his precocious backhand shots coming astatine you nonstop. You consciousness similar each azygous shot is coming astatine you, and you don't spot immoderate enactment to deed a victor oregon propulsion him retired of the court."

Despite the challenges, Wawrinka expressed a peculiar fondness for playing against Djokovic, picking him arsenic his favourite opponent. "I deliberation I've mislaid much than 20 times to Novak, but he's the 1 I felt blessed to play against. Even erstwhile I mislaid successful the 2014 ATP Finals 6-0, 6-3, I enjoyed playing him," helium continued.

"He has specified a nice, cleanable stoke. Even if helium destroys you, you're benignant of blessed due to the fact that you're looking astatine the cleanable tennis subordinate successful beforehand of you."

Murray was for immoderate clip mentioned successful the speech of tennis' elite acknowledgment to his 3 Grand Slam triumphs and 2 Olympic golds. And truthful was Wawrinka aft helium bushed Nadal successful the 2014 Australian Open last and Djokovic successful the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open finals.

Despite matching Murray's tally of majors, helium feels helium doesn't beryllium successful the aforesaid company. "It bothered maine erstwhile radical talked astir the 'Big Five' oregon thing similar," helium admitted.

"Or erstwhile radical equated maine with Murray conscionable due to the fact that I besides won 3 Grand Slam tournaments. I'm miles distant from each 4 of them. That's a deficiency of respect for them and particularly for Murray."