With Stan Comes the New Big Three​​​​​​​

In 2014, Stan Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam title after upsetting Novak Djokovic in a five-set quarterfinal at the Australian Open. In 2015, Wawrinka won his second major at the French Open by ambushing the Serb in a four-set final. In 2016, Wawrinka won his third major at Flushing Meadows, yet again victimising Djokovic. That’s A PERFECT THREE FOR THREE in Grand Slam finals.

Stan The Man” is printed in bold letters on a bright red T-shirt Stan Wawrinka wears. It’s time to replace his unimaginative nickname with “Big Match Stan.” Before Wawrinka wore out and broke down World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in the U.S. Open final, Djokovic explained precisely why Wawrinka is so daunting.

“He’s a big match player. He loves to play on the big stage against big players, because that’s when he elevates his level of performance in his game. Just gets much better,” analysed Djokovic.

“HE’S A VERY POWERFUL, powerful player. Big serve. Probably the best, most effective one handed backhand in the world now. You know, he can play it all. He has variety in his game. He can be very dangerous for everybody.”

For everybody, and especially Djokovic. And especially on the biggest stages. In 2014, Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open after upsetting Djokovic in a five set quarterfinal. In 2015, Wawrinka won his second major at the French Open by ambushing the Serb in a four set final. In 2016, after the favoured Djokovic had captured six of the previous nine majors, Wawrinka won his third major at Flushing Meadows, yet again victimising Djokovic.

That’s a perfect three for three in Grand Slam finals. Wawrinka has also won his last 11 tournament finals. The Swiss had been overshadowed by his legendary compatriot Roger Federer for a decade. Like Djokovic, Federer knew how formidable a foe Wawrinka has been in the past three years and gave him a fitting moniker, “Stanimal,” a tribute to his rugged physique and brutish style.