By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, Might 22, 2026
Picture credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Making ready for his French Open farewell, Stan Wawrinka shared the origin of his famed energy level.
If you happen to watched Wawrinka win any of his three profession Grand Slam crowns, then he ceaselessly celebrated large main victories pointing his index finger to his temple.
Eleven years after he surprised Novak Djokovic in a superb backhand barrage to seize the 2015 Roland Garros crown, Wawrinka met the media in Paris at present.
The 41-year-old Swiss standout was requested how and why he started celebrating victories as a degree man.
“I imagine the primary time was in Australia in 2014,” mentioned Wawrinka, who defeated No. 1 Rafa Nadal within the 2014 AO ultimate. “It got here to me naturally. It was extra a gesture of celebration to point out that I had gained in opposition to my very own feelings, my very own head, to beat the very best.
“And I managed to win matches, massive matches in opposition to massive gamers whom despite the fact that I performed effectively, I didn’t handle to win in opposition to due to my thoughts, due to my feelings.
“So this was what it meant on the time.”
Wawrinka will sq. off in opposition to French phenom Arthur Fils in a blockbuster Roland Garros opener.
“It’s an incredible alternative to play a final time on the middle courtroom in opposition to a high participant of the brand new era,” Wawrinka mentioned of Fils. “He’s a high participant, and he’ll in all probability be an excellent higher participant sooner or later, which is the rationale why I’m nonetheless taking part in tennis. I nonetheless hope to play a superb match.”
Might Stan the Man name on a museum artifact to assist his French Open farewell?
Requested if he’ll put on the famed plaid red-and-white Yonex shorts he wore throughout his 2015 Roland Garros title run that noticed him topple Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic in succession, Wawrinka left the door open.
“Properly, I’ll ask the [Roland Garros] museum [where the shorts are displayed],” Wawrinka mentioned. “I’m not
certain. Perhaps we are able to wash them earlier than. However I didn’t take into consideration this. I’ll give it some thought between now and Monday.”
