WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 15, 2022

Stan Wawrinka

Press Conference

A. MURRAY/S. Wawrinka

7-6, 5-7, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: A tough day, of course, but can you take any positives out of today's match?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, I think it was a big match, big battle. Of course it's always special to play against Andy. Always difficult to lose a tight match like that.

I think could do much better. I think I'm on the right track. I'm playing much better. In practice my level is there. I just need to find the confidence, and for that I need to win matches, I need to get more games, I need to feel a bit more free when I'm playing in matches.

I'm thinking way too much what I'm doing. I have a lot of hesitation with my game, and that's what's missing today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I saw that you and Andy have played each other four times already in 2008. So you have known each other for a long time. This kind of match, does it feel like you are in a time machine? You have someone you have so much history against?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, it's great to play against each other for so many years on tour now. Like you said, we start many, many years ago. We are getting old but it's always fun, always a big battle.

I think we know each other so well, the fact that we have been on tour from the same time together. It's always going to be special to play against each other.

Q. You mentioned that you are fearless in practice. In general, are you a patient person, knowing that eventually you will get to the point where you want to?

STAN WAWRINKA: Well, it depends. But, yeah, I know I'm on the right direction. I'm feeling much better physically, and tennis-wise, the work I have done since Bastad, I did a big preparation.

Like I said, I know I'm going to get there. I need, like I said, confidence in myself and what I'm doing. It takes maybe a bit more time when you get older, because you know exactly which impact can play any part on the game, so you are thinking maybe twice before playing. But it's okay. I will keep working out and get there soon.

Q. I'm noticing how few players there are from France in this tournament and in other sort of big tournaments this year. Wondering, as someone who speaks French, if it feels lonelier at all, the current demographics of the French on tour?

STAN WAWRINKA: I think (indiscernible) been with my team in general, I think also France, they have a change of generation a little bit. They got a bit also unlucky with Gael getting injured last week. He was coming back and playing well.

Yeah, there is this change of generation that make it sometimes bit few tournaments with less players.

Q. Will you miss Serena?

STAN WAWRINKA: Yeah, of course, like everybody. I think she's been amazing for the tennis, for the fans, for everybody who's involved a little bit in sports in general.

I have always been a big fan with many big moments during our career, and it's going to be of course sad to see her leaving after US Open.

Q. Do you have a favorite Serena moment?

STAN WAWRINKA: There is many, but I cannot tell (smiling).

Q. Off court or on court?

STAN WAWRINKA: No, I think 2015 we celebrate French Open together, and she crashed my party after the win. It was quite fun (smiling).