Stanislas Wawrinka and Andy Murray enjoyed a healthy rivalry that spanned almost two decades – but the Swiss ace has now insisted there is no comparison between the two
Swiss tennis star Stanislas Wawrinka has humbly brushed off any comparisons to British icon Andy Murray, despite both players clinching three Grand Slam titles.
Wawrinka won his majors in an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Murray was also a constant threat to Wawrinka, with the pair facing off 23 times.
While Wawrinka has won the same amount of Grand Slams as Murray, he believes that the similarities end there. The 40-year-old, who is still playing on the ATP Tour, has now pointed to the stats, insisting Murray has achieved much more in his career.
“Those who know tennis know that there’s no possible comparison,” Wawrinka told Eurosport. “Yes, we have the same number of Grand Slam titles.
“But I think he has eight more finals, he must have 14 Masters 1000 or something like that, 45 tournaments won, world number one, he was top three for 10 years, 12 years.
“There is no possible comparison, really. It’s not to put me down, it’s just the reality. It doesn’t mean that I put myself below.”
Despite his statements of deference, Wawrinka can take pride in an impressive career himself, including Australian Open glory in 2014.
French Open success followed in 2015, while he triumphed over Djokovic at the US Open in 2016. He also achieved a ranking of world No. 3.
Yet, he holds his hands up to the fact that his 16 singles titles don’t quite measure up to Murray’s 46. Murray claimed the US Open, Wimbledon twice, clinched 14 Masters 1000 series titles, two Olympic Gold medals and secured a win at the ATP Finals.
Climbing to World No. 1 for a 41 weeks in 2016 further cemented his status, reports the Express. But even with Murray slightly edging their head-to-head encounters, winning 13 to Wawrinka’s ten, the Swiss player oozed confidence when reflecting on their matchups.
“When I faced him, I always thought I could beat him,” he said. “But you don’t judge a career on that.”
Their rivalry has been a nearly two-decade spectacle, and Murray harbours great respect for Wawrinka, expressing admiration earlier this year after Wawrinka was narrowly defeated by Daniil Medvedev. The Scot couldn’t help but applauded Wawrinka’s endurance against one of the world’s top players at 40-years-old.
“Watching Stan the man battling with one of the best players in the world at nearly 40 years of age in the first round in Rotterdam,” Murray said. “What a player! #levels.”
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