Stan Wawrinka started playing tennis at age 8, and has since built a career defined by big moments, earning him nicknames like Stan the Man and the Stanimal for his never- say – die attitude on court. He speaks French, English and Spanish, and has been voted Swiss of the Year and Swiss Sportsman of the Year during a career that has made him into a instantly recognisable face of tennis, a hob-knobbing celebrity, a heartthrob, and a brand managers dream.
Away from the court he’s into movies in a big way, quietly amassing 88 IMDb credits including Associate Producer Roles and even acting in a French-language films and TV shows such as Le Flambeau, les aventuriers de Chupacabra and The Villa.
He’s also big into music and supports the grass roots Let It Beat Foundation, a non- profit organisation based in Miami dedicated to mentoring and guiding emerging musicians in the early stages of their careers.
Now 40, he reached a career-high Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world No. 3 singles ranking. As a competitor for Switzerland, Wawrinka won gold in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with teammate Roger Federer, and was pivotal in the Swiss team’s victory at the 2014 Davis Cup.
We were lucky enough to catch up with the Suisse legend just after his nail-biting five- set win over Arthur Gea, and took a long corridor walk and even an elevator ride to get the Irresistible low-down. The win took him into the third round of the AO, beating the 19-year-old Frenchman 4-6,6-3,3-6,7-5, 7-6(3) in front of a raucous Kia Arena crowd that willed him over the line- one fan even sacrificed a beer to the tension and the greater good when the drink onto the court and Wawrinka pretended to have a swig. Wawrinka leaned into the noise as the match tightened, reminding everyone why he has appeared at 50 consecutive Grand Slams.
The love that’s coming to you is approaching rock- star status. A good chunk of the 5000 fans in the Arena were right behind you. We know you get similar treatment all over the world. What does that feel like, even physically? And how does it affect your performance?
Stan Wawrinka: It is amazing. It is one of the reasons why I keep playing tennis at my age- I’m 40 years old! To feel those moments, and have those emotions that I will not be able to find anywhere else. Of course, because it’s my last year, its even most important. During a match like todays, it really helped me. They fill me with a full positive energy, and I constantly want to share that with them and stay positive and do it for them also. So it’s like really something altogether for me, and it’s something absolutely amazing.
We know you’ve dabbled a bit in the film world with some production roles and acting parts. Film is a bit part of Irresistible’s content. And there’s the music foundation you support. Do you think there is something for you in the arts or in the production side of the arts after retirement? Are you thinking about getting more into these kinds of things?
Yes! I have a production company, and especially in France, where I do movies and TV shows, this is a part of my life. And it is something I have always enjoyed. I would say loved, and always been passionate about. Seven years ago this production company started, and it’s keep going. I have a few people working with me, and I enjoy that.
We’ll see you in Cannes?
Perfect-
I’ll see you there. Maybe not this year as I’m playing, but next year, for sure- 100%.
We’ll have some meetings there.
We talked about the love you get and you certainly you get plenty of that from Australia. We know how hard it can be to see everything you want to when you’re on tour. Do you think your relationship with Australia will continue, maybe even just for holidays? Is there somewhere here you’d still love to see?
The fans here are amazing. I have so many memories of Australia from my 20 years playing here.
I won my first Grand Slam here and to this moment here, sharing with the fans, is something really special. It is a long way from Europe but I’m lucky I’ve seen so much.
I really like Melbourne as well which I know really well now as a city. I’m lucky that this year I went to Perth for the first time in the United Cup. It was a bit different and I really enjoyed it. I’ve also been to Brisbane and Sydney. Even if I’m here for the tennis, I always try to take one or two days during or after the matches, to get away. There’s so much to discover in Australia. So many amazing places I wish to see, maybe in the future. I need two or three weeks. I’d like to go more inside- to the Red Centre!
You did such a great job Captaining you team in the United Cup and supporting the others from the sideline. You’ve said coaching maybe isn’t for you. Do you think you’ll get into a bit of broadcasting and tennis commentary?
I do like coaching but not right now. Especially in the short term because I’m still playing and afterwards I want to put my mind a bit away from tennis.
But, tennis is my passion and I’ve been working in tennis forever, since I was young. So, of course, I will always, or probably always, do something attached to tennis in the future. I don’t know what yet.
I really want to finish my year and then I want to close the book and take some time for me to really feel what I want to do afterwards. I feel very happy.
