‘Better than expected’ – Stan Wawrinka remains positive despite defeat on return
Stan Wawrinka feels that his return to the ATP Tour at the Monte Carlo Masters went “better than he expected” despite losing and he thinks “the body is getting much better.”
After opting to undergo surgery on his left foot after the Qatar Open last March, three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka had been absent from the ATP Tour for the past year.
After enduring a full year on the side-lines, Wawrinka recently marked his return from injury on the Challenger Tour at the Andalucia Open, alongside 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem. However, Wawrinka and Thiem both lost their opening matches.
In an effort to step up his preparations for next month’s French Open, the Swiss player made his much-awaited return to the ATP Tour this week at the Monte Carlo Masters. Although, he lost to Alexander Bublik 6-5, 5-7, 2-6 in his opening match.
However, Wawrinka remained upbeat despite the loss and shared that he felt his return went better than expected.
Speaking after the loss, Wawrinka said “it was a way better match. I think the body’s getting much better.
“I’m still far away from where I want to be, but I think I’m [moving in] the right direction.
“I think today was a positive match. It was a tough loss, of course, but I’m happy with the way I was playing today.
“I knew coming here that I’m not physically and tennis-wise ready. I wanted to play a few matches with the Challenger two weeks ago. Now we are practising with the top guys to get my level a bit better.
“But I knew and I didn’t expect to play already the way I want to play, so I knew it would be difficult. As I said, I think it was much better than what I was expecting today.
“I was playing better, feeling better on the court of course physically, tennis-wise, and also I spent a lot of mental energy to focus, to stay there as it was tough at the end. But again, I’m happy with what I have done today.”
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