Stan Wawrinka went into the 2015 ATP Finals with one eye on the trophy.
Wawrinka, the fourth seed in London, had performed excellently throughout the year, winning his second Grand Slam title at the French Open.
The Swiss maestro had transformed into a major threat at the biggest tournaments and a challenger to the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Wawrinka, who recently announced that the 2026 ATP season will be his last, advanced to the semi-finals of the 2015 ATP Finals, before losing to compatriot Roger Federer in straight sets.
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After the loss, Wawrinka criticised his own mental toughness.
Stan Wawrinka said he was not mentally tough enough during his loss to Roger Federer at the 2015 ATP Finals
Wawrinka looked to be in fine form heading into the semi-final clash against his countryman. The Swiss star had defeated Andy Murray and David Ferrer in the group stage, qualifying for the last four alongside Rafael Nadal.
However, he came unstuck against Federer, who defeated Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3.
“Yeah, I never beat him on hard court, only on clay court,” Wawrinka said in his post-match press conference after the loss.
“There is many reason. In the past maybe few matches that I could have beat him, but I was maybe a little bit too nervous.
“Last year I had the opportunity to take the match, but I didn’t. Don’t know why. In general, his game is tough for me, for my game. I will say he has the perfect game against my game. He’s mixing a lot, he’s serving well, he’s putting a lot of pressure, playing so fast.
“If you look today, it’s not that I play really bad. I’m not tough enough mentally with myself, I’m not completely there. But one, two point change the first set completely.
“I was break up. I did two mistake going too quick on his forehand, passing, passing, the set is over.
“Not only he has the game that is the worst for me, if I look against the top guys, but also until two years I was 20 in the world, he was number one beating everybody. So it’s a little bit normal.”
Despite the loss, Wawrinka remained positive about his season.
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Earlier in the press conference, he said: “The year is amazing again. I didn’t expect to play that well, to be here tonight, honestly, being number four, winning one Grand Slam, semifinal again. I couldn’t expect more.
“I won two title for the first time in my career, one French Open title beating No. 1 player. Did two semifinal, US Open, Australian Open. Quarter Wimbledon. I was quite consistent at the high level. I beat so many top guys.
“The year, it was amazing year for sure for me.”
How did Roger Federer react to his victory?
Federer said: “A great match, I really enjoyed it. It will be a perfect ending only if I win. Novak should be knocked out by now!
“No, I am joking. He played a great match against Rafael Nadal earlier today and I’m sure it will be a fantastic meeting.”
Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3 in the second semi-final. The Serbian star, the top seed, beat Federer 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
Djokovic became the first player to win the title on four consecutive occasions.
