Paris 2024 is 'a big motivation', says Wawrinka
There’s nothing like having an Olympic Games on the horizon to keep the fire burning inside.
Stan Wawrinka might be 39-years-old and the proud owner of some of the biggest prizes in tennis – including an Olympic gold medal – but the three-time Grand Slam and Davis Cup champion says earning a place at Paris 2024 remains a ‘big motivation’.
Wawrinka was part of one of the more iconic triumphs at the Olympic Tennis Event – winning doubles gold with Roger Federer at Beijing 2008 in a moment famed as much for the semi-final celebration - when Federer warmed his hands over the flat-on-his-back, on-fire Wawrinka - as for the eventual achievement itself.
The Swiss described that medal win as “one of the happiest moments in my career” and, though hopes of a podium finish at Paris 2024 might feel unlikely at this moment in time, Wawrinka is determined to be part of another Games.
“It is a big motivation,” he said of the Olympic Tennis Event, which begins on 28 July. “Of course I would love to be in Paris. I would love to play again in the Olympics.
“[The] Olympics is not only about tennis, it’s about sport in general. You can spend some time with different, athletes, different sports, and it’s super important for me. I’m a big sports fan and I love to take time with other athletes.”
Wawrinka competed at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 but missed both Rio 2016, due to a back injury, and Tokyo 2020 while on a lengthy hiatus after left foot surgery.
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He has endured a tough year on the ATP Tour, winning just two of his nine matches since kicking off the year with a five-set defeat to Adrian Mannarino at the Australian Open, but the Olympics being held at Roland Garros – a venue that has provided the stage for some of his greatest success – should provide appealing familiarity.
“Yeh of course,” said Wawrinka, a champion there in 2015 and runner-up in 2017. “Roland Garros [is special] because of my success, but not only [that] – it’s next door from home. I always feel a big welcome in France. I know Paris really well, with a lot of friends there, so it’s going to be super special.”
Wawrinka still has work to do to book his spot in Paris, though.
Currently the world No. 87, he would need to raise his ranking to guarantee he is one of the 56 direct acceptances into the men’s singles draw per the Olympic cut-off on 10 June.
Two ITF places are available into each of the men’s and women’s singles draws for Grand Slam/Olympic champions, but Wawrinka is one of a handful of former Grand Slam champions – including Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Marin Cilic – who could qualify by that route if their ranking isn’t sufficient for direct entry.
Read more about the qualification process for the Olympic Tennis Event here