Stan Wawrinka Moves Out of Roger Federer’s Shadow and into the Hall of Fame

Three years ago, Stan Wawrinka played in compatriot Roger Federer’s shadows. A perennial runner-up, Wawrinka was that other Swiss guy who would give Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic fits in the quarterfinals and semifinals, only to fall short, again and again.

Now, Wawrinka is out of the shadows and destined for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sunday, on a hot humid evening at Flushing Meadows, Wawrinka won his first U.S. Open title, defeating Djokovic 6-7 (7-1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

After a lackluster start, Wawrinka simply overpowered the 12-time Grand Slam champion and No. 1 player on the ATP World Tour.

“This honestly is amazing…I came here without putting a goal to win (the tournament), but every time I stepped on the court I was trying to win every match,” Wawrinka said during the trophy ceremony (via CNN.com). 

“You were the more courageous player in the decisive moments,” Djokovic told Wawrinka and the crowd at Arthur Ashe stadium during ESPN’s telecast. 

Big-match Stan, played like the three-time major winner he is. He’s a perfect 3-0 in Slam finals and has won his last 11 finals matches. Wawrinka, 31, is the only active player to have won two Grand Slam titles after age 30. He’s won more Grand Slam titles in the past two years than Federer and Andy Murray combined.

Get this, Wawrinka is a Wimbledon title away from a career-Grand Slam.

Where does he fit in? Steve Fowler of ESPN suggested Wawrinka be included in the new “Big Five,” with Big Four members, Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. Nah, Wawrinka deserves more than fifth-Beatle treatment. Stan the Man stands on his own.

He’s certainly not a new kid on the block. He played through Federer’s most dominant years …

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