Fans are used to seeing Stan Wawrinka in the spotlight. Years of bludgeoning one-handed backhands and lifting trophies on tennis’ biggest stages will do that.
But this week the 37-year-old has shown fans a different side. ‘Stan The Man’ has evolved into ‘Captain Stan’ as Switzerland’s playing captain in Brisbane at the inaugural United Cup.
“He seems really strict,” team member Jil Teichmann said on Media Day, cracking a laugh. “Like, picky.”
It did not take long for the three-time major winner to lay down the law.
“I’m enjoying being really strict against someone who was late today,” Wawrinka said as the team erupted into laughter. “We are sorry, it was Belinda [Bencic]. It’s going to be the last time we’re going to be late!”
Although Wawrinka spoke like ‘Sergeant Stan’ rather than ‘Captain Stan’, the reality is that the Swiss legend has embraced his role and has created a familial atmosphere that has his country in contention in Brisbane. If Switzerland defeats Poland on Tuesday, it will advance to the Brisbane City Final.
Wawrinka has been visibly invested in all of his teammate’s matches, constantly standing from his bench in the Team Zone to urge them on during matches.
“Tactics-wise, obviously he sees the game and everything,” Bencic said. “But also, he was really positive and like [fist] pumping every point. I think that’s how it should be. I feel like we were used to each other very quickly.”
Photo Credit: Tennis Australia
“To have Stan on the bench it’s very special. I thanked him before already,” Teichmann said. “I told him it’s really nice to have him there. He really keeps you calm, he’s really good, gives you these wise tips.”
The 37-year-old said that he is “really proud” that he was selected captain of the team. Although he played down how much he is able to help the players during matches, he has certainly tried.
“It’s a new experience for sure. As I say, I think it’s going to be really interesting to watch them play from the court, talk with them. At the end of the day they all know what to do,” Wawrinka said. “They are great players, they know how to win. I’m just going to be here if they need more help.”
The Swiss has visibly enjoyed digging into the small details of matches. One of the most common scenes inside Pat Rafter Arena has been Wawrinka with his hands on his knees or in a crouch in his Team Zone during changeovers, diving into a discussion with a player like a professor.
Between that and the emotions he showed during his singles win against Alexander Bublik in Switzerland’s opening tie, it is abundantly clear Wawrinka loves the sport and all that comes with it.
“I love the emotion that I can get. I’m sure the day I will stop playing tennis I will never find that emotion anymore,” Wawrinka said. “Then I love the game, the competition, to compete, I love the process to get there. Even if it’s tough, even if you have to push yourself, day by day I think it’s something I really enjoy, to improve, to be at my best, and to compete at the highest level.”
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Wawrinka’s teammates grew up watching him compete at the top of the tennis world. Besides Wawrinka, the oldest player on the team is Alexander Ritschard, who is 28. When Stan claimed his first major trophy at the 2014 Australian Open, Ritschard was 20. Now, the playing has empowered Ritschard, making him acting captain during Wawrinka’s own match.
The team has looked up to Wawrinka for years, as the former World No. 3 is a national icon. Along with Roger Federer, he led Switzerland to Davis Cup glory in 2014. That moment is still engrained in Marc-Andrea Huesler’s memory.
“I watched the complete doubles there and I was amazed by how they both were playing, how they competed themselves and the whole energy in that stadium was pretty amazing,” Huesler said. “And also I’d probably even say I saw Stan play best of five matches in Australia against Novak, losing the first couple and then being able to win. Complete epic matches, also in Paris, the finals of Paris was absolutely insane the way he was playing.
“Those memories, when you see that, those are the biggest [memories] that I have of him. I haven’t practised with him that often in the past, but he’s a great guy and it’s also cool to be sharing this team with him and trying to basically win together.”
On a week-to-week basis, Wawrinka is able to focus on himself. But his coach, former World No. 2 Magnus Norman, sees how much his charge is enjoying leading his country’s team at the United Cup.
“I can see that Stan really likes it. He likes team events and where he is right now in his career I think also it’s something new, it’s something different,” Norman said. “When you’ve been on the Tour for so long it’s always the same tournaments. The Tour is amazing, but it’s always the same, so if you do something new, it makes everything a little bit more fresh, so I really feel that he enjoys it a lot.”
In front of the press, the team joked about ‘Strict Stan’. But beyond that facade has been a caring, dedicated leader. Who is stricter, Norman as Wawrinka’s coach or Captain Stan?
“I don’t know, it’s tough to answer,” Norman said, cracking a laugh. “But I think I’m maybe a little bit more strict as a coach.”
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