Stan Wawrinka admits Roland Garros defeat ‘mirrors where I am’
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has expressed his disappointment at being knocked out in the first round at Roland Garros stating that “it is now his reality” to experience matches like that.
On Monday, despite winning the first set comfortably, the 37-year-old was beaten by home crowd favorite Corentin Moutet in four sets losing 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3.
The Swiss started strong on Court Suzanne Lenglen, breaking his opponent twice in the opening set.
However, the former French Open winner was unable to keep the momentum going and faded after the first set, with the world number 139 taking charge of the first round clash and claiming the victory.
Reflecting on his loss, the man from Lausanne admitted his disappointment but was not too downbeat about his performance especially as he was competing in just his third tour-level tournament since his return from injury last month.
In an interview, the former world number three told reporters, “Obviously it’s a great disappointment to lose in a Grand Slam, but it’s the reality of my life now.
“I knew before the match that I needed to work a lot physically, to work my tennis. It’s not [that] I’m playing badly or I’m not good, but I’m not yet feeling good for matches like that.
“This is the mirror of where I am now. You have to go through times like this with bad matches, with bad first rounds in a Grand Slam, because I need to play a few matches to renew the feelings you look for in a match.”
Wawrinka continued, stating that he must improve physically if he is going to compete at his previous level.
“[When] I renewed with training and at the end of February and beginning of March, I knew it would take time to get back into the competition and to renew the level where I feel good.
“[Where] I get on court and I’m okay, I’m fit and I’m ready to play a good match.
“I am okay, but I’m not as fit as I would like to be. As far as tennis is concerned, I’m not back to the level I wanted, I have to take weeks of physical preparation and do some training matches. I’m getting close. A few weeks and I should be there.”
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