World number three Stanislas Wawrinka is making a mark this season with his maiden Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in Melbourne and his first Masters 1000 title victory at Monte Carlo in April. Despite his achievements, the Swiss number one is downplaying comments that he is now a heavy favorite to win the Roland Garros 2014 French Open title. The claycourt Grand Slam event takes place later this month in Paris.
“I did an amazing job. I’m really happy after winning my first Grand Slam to now win my first Masters 1000,” said Wawrinka, after winning Monte Carlo title where he defeated close friend and compatriot Roger Federer.
“When mentally I’m there and I’m fighting, I can play (good) tennis, I can beat all the players.
“I play well on clay. It’s normal that I would be a favourite for the French Open, but I don’t think so because I’m very far from players like Rafa (Nadal), Novak (Djokovic) and Roger.
“I think the big four will always be the big four — Rafa, Novak, Roger and Murray. They won all the tournaments since many years and you cannot change that.”
“The rankings may be different, but the statistics are the same. Anyway, I will not change anything in the way I approach the tournaments.”
Wawrinka is taking a much-needed time off and has skipped the Portugal Open in Oeiras where he was the defending champion. He’s preparing for two consecutive claycourt Masters tournaments in Madrid and Rome which are a pair of lucrative warmup events leading to the French Open tournament.
