Daniil Medvedev gives his honest opinion on Stan Wawrinka and says if he is underrated

Many players and fans have shared their thoughts on Wawrinka, including former world number one Daniil Medvedev. The Russian was recently asked if he believed Wawrinka was underrated.

Daniil Medvedev doesn’t think tennis players underrate Stan Wawrinka

“I think yes and no. Maybe for the public, how you say, for the fans, but if you talk about tennis players, I think what he managed to achieve during, in a way, the prime of the Big Four is astonishing,” said Medvedev during an ATP Tour interview ahead of the Shanghai Masters.

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“Three Slams, I mean, it’s crazy – and beating Novak [Djokovic] in the final of Roland Garros after Novak had just beaten Rafa [Nadal]. Beating Novak in Australia, in a crazy match. I think to then win his first against Roger [Federer], I think, in the Australian Open final… no, sorry, I think he beat Rafa in the final, no?

Stan Wawrinka’s Grand Slam final record (3-1)

“Yeah, so, I mean, it’s just crazy, and I think, yeah, at least for tennis players, he was actually not overshadowed, but, in a way, even it’s, like, crazier, the achievements he made – because he was playing during the Big Four era. And I think, yeah, he’s not ever overshadowed. I think everyone respects him tremendously.”

Medvedev, who was defaulted for hitting the ball at a fan during the China Open, then compared his personality and on-court demeanour to Wawrinka’s.

“I respect a lot, let’s say, his personality because I find it a tiny bit similar to mine. I’m much more showing my emotions sometimes in a bad way, but I feel like when he’s on the court, you know, he’s Stan the animal. He wants to win. He can get in a small fight. We saw it sometimes. He can be, like, how you say, gritty, maybe, stuff like this,” said Medvedev.

“But then when you see him in the locker room, he’s so fun. He’s just such a chill guy. You can talk to him, you can laugh with him, you can discuss many things with him.

“And I feel like I can relate because, I don’t know, if you ask people about me in the locker room, I feel like I’m a chill guy, and, you know, I can laugh even after matches, whether I lose or win. But on the court, I’m for sure not a chill guy, and that’s part of him I like.”

Wawrinka is one of the most popular players in the ATP locker room, and will retire as a certified fan favourite. But how well is the Swiss veteran playing right now as he approaches retirement?

Stan Wawrinka has only won one match since the French Open

The Swiss star enjoyed a positive start to his final season, impressing down under at the United Cup and Australian Open, but hasn’t maintained that level. Since winning his opening match in Geneva against Raul Brancaccio (ATP #241) 144 days ago, Wawrinka has only won one match.

Stan Wawrinka’s last nine matches (1-8)

• Geneva Open 2R [LOSS] vs Alex Michelsen, 6-7, 6-7
• French Open 1R [LOSS] vs Jesper De Jong, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6
• Wimbledon 1R [LOSS] vs Matteo Berrettini, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-7
• Swiss Open 1R [LOSS] vs Jaime Faria, 7-6, 4-6, 4-6
• Estoril Open 1R [LOSS] vs Roman Andres Burruchaga, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6
• Cancun Challenger 1R [WIN] vs Dalibor Svrcina, 7-6, 7-6
• Cancun Challenger 2R [LOSS] vs Roman Safiullin, 3-6, 4-6
• US Open 1R [LOSS] vs Matteo Berrettini, 6-7, 6-7, 0-6
• Davis Cup [LOSS] vs Gustavo Heide, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6

That win came at a Challenger Tour event in Cancun. Only time will tell if Wawrinka can win another ATP Tour match before he hangs up his racquet. He is expected to return to action at the Lyon Open, which begins on October 19.

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