20 Questions: Stan Wawrinka

Since his breakout win at the Australian Open, US Open semifinalist Stan Wawrinka has been propelled to ever higher heights. But as we found out when we caught up with him, fame most definitely hasn’t gone to his head.

What is the greatest benefit of being famous?
I don’t know what’s the greatest. It’s just part of my life now and I need to deal with it in a good way. Sometimes it’s not always easy but it’s okay.

What quality do you like most in other people?
Honesty. People you can have a real conversation with, not people talking because you’re famous, because you’re someone.

What annoys or frustrates you the most?
When people lie, or when I’m not doing well on the court.

What do you like most in yourself?
You should ask other people. I’m not good to talk about myself.

What do you dislike in yourself?
Same thing. I don’t like to talk.

What has been the best moment in your career?
Winning the Australian Open. I didn’t expect that.

What has been your worst moment on a tennis court?
A tough one was the French Open this year for sure.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?
Nothing different. When I started out I just loved playing tennis. It was my passion, so nothing different.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
To enjoy and do what you like.

What would be your perfect day?
Being on the beach with my family.

What talent other than tennis would you like to have?
I’m quite happy with my life so I don’t need to do something else.

What has been your most extravagant purchase?
My apartment.

What living person do you most admire?
There are many persons that I admire so I cannot pick one.

What is your greatest fear?
In general I’m not in fear of things. I’m quite easy.

What is your most treasured possession?
She’s not a possession, but my daughter.

If you weren’t a tennis player what would you like to be?
I don’t know. I have time after my tennis to do something else so I’ll decide. I’m thinking a lot about that but haven’t decided yet.

Where is the best place you’ve been?
Home. Switzerland when I have some time off with my family.

Where would you most like to go that you haven’t been to yet?
Many places. Too many. We’ll see after my tennis career when I have to go there.

Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest?
Barack Obama.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a great guy on the court and off the court.

Barry Wood has reported on the game for over 35 years, attending his first Australian Open at Kooyong before going on to interview almost every top player as well as many others for numerous publications.