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Stan Wawrinka Australian Open
Tennis News

2016 in review: Wawrinka prospers in New York


Having already bagged the Australian Open and French Open, Stan Wawrinka won his third Grand Slam title with victory at the US Open.

The 31-year-old Swiss defeated defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-7(1) 6-4 7-5 6-3 in three hours and 55 minutes to become the oldest winner of the US Open men’s singles title since Ken Rosewall in 1970.

Going into the final Wawrinka was perfect in Grand Slam finals, having beaten Rafael Nadal in Melbourne in 2014 and Djokovic at Roland Garros last year, and he extended his unbeaten record in major title matches with a superb display of shotmaking, hitting 46 winners.

“Before the final, I was really nervous like never before,” said Wawrinka, who saved match point in his third round win over Dan Evans. “I was shaking in the locker room. When we start five minutes before the match talking, last few things with Magnus [Norman, his coach], I started to cry. I was completely shaking.

“The only thing I was convinced with myself that my game was there. Physically I was there. My game was there. Put the fight on the court and you will have a chance to win. And that’s what happened after few games when I started to believe in myself, started to be in the match.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.