The GOAT debate surrounding Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic rages on (Image: Getty)
Stan Wawrinka has named his toughest opponent out of tennis’ ‘Big Three’. With a professional career spanning 23 years, the 39-year-old veteran is one of those to have faced all of , and .
His career , but at his peak Wawrinka reached third in the world rankings and claimed his three Grand Slam titles within the space of three years. He beat Nadal to win the 2014 and Djokovic in the finals of the 2015 and 2016 .
As a fellow Swiss native, fans might expect him to lean towards Federer in the greatest-of-all-time debate. But Wawrinka instead picked Nadal as the most formidable rival he faced, in particular on the Spaniard’s favoured clay.
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Speaking on the podcast, he said: “Well, they have all been so tough, but I think Rafa at the French Open was particularly challenging. I played him in the final in 2017 and I was constantly watching the clock, hoping to reach the one-hour mark before he won.
“It’s especially tough with his high backhand shots coming at you nonstop. You feel like every single ball is coming at you, and you don’t see any option to hit a winner or push him out of the court.”
He went on to earmark Djokovic as his favourite opponent, explaining: “I think I’ve lost more than 20 times to Novak, but he’s the one I felt happy to play against. Even when I lost in the 2014 ATP Finals 6-0, 6-3, I enjoyed playing him.
Wawrinka found Nadal on clay to be his toughest opponent (Image: Getty)
“He has such a nice, clean stoke. Even if he destroys you, you’re kind of happy because you’re looking at the perfect tennis player in front of you.”
Wawrinka briefly joined in the conversation of tennis’ elite in the mid-2010s. But he feels that wasn’t justified, despite his trio of major triumphs.
“It bothered me when people talked about the ‘Big Five’ or something similar,” he continued. “Or when people equated me with Murray just because I also won three Grand Slam tournaments. I’m miles away from all four of them. That’s a lack of respect for them and especially for Murray.”