Stan Wawrinka Rates Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Then Andy Murray As His Wimbledon Favorites

With just 10 days or so from the start of Wimbledon, the prognosticators are getting ready. Among them is French Open champion Stan Wawrinka who offered his favorites to win when asked yesterday after losing to Kevin Anderson in Queen’s.

“I put Novak, Roger, Murray,” Wawrinka said of his Wimbledon favorites.

“Novak is No. 1,” he went on. “He’s been playing so well since last years now and especially this year. I’m sure after losing French Open final he wants more, he wants to come back and win the next big one. So he won last year. We all know that when he’s playing his best tennis he’s really good at it.

“If I put Roger, I’m seeing the way he’s playing. Even if he lost few matches this year, I’m sure he’s going to be ready for the grass. e loves to play on the grass. It’s always tough to beat him. Last year I was really close. Also, I think with him, with his confidence, if he can get through the first week or something, playing well, then he’s going to be tough to beat.

“And Andy because he loves grass, playing at home, already won Wimbledon. He’s playing really well this year. Just that’s just what I think.”

Stan also reiterated that even though he has more Grand Slam titles than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray since the start of 2014, he’s not part of the Big 4 or even a Big 5.

“For sure if you look last two years, I’m No. 4 in the world with two Grand Slams, Masters 1000, one 500, two or three 250, one Davis Cup, so that’s amazing,” Wawrinka said Tuesday. “But when we talk about the Big 4 it’s been 10 years and they are doing great result, amazing results.

So again, I’m not trying to be Big 4 or big 5, whatever. I’m trying to do the best I can. I’m trying to enjoy what I’m doing and trying to still win some big tournaments. That’s all I care. That’s why I respect so much what they did in the past. That, you will never change, what they achieved, all four.”

Wawrinka made his first Wimbledon quarterfinal last year, losing to Roger Federer. Despite his troubles on the surface, he says he can still play well on it.

“Most difficult, yes, because I have less time on the grass court,” he said of the toughest surfaces. “That’s it. But as I said until last year, I still think I can play my best tennis on grass. But grass is a little bit different. ou don’t have as many tournaments.

“Last year for me was already amazing Wimbledon, losing to Roger during a great match, beating Lopez, beating some great guys. I was happy with the way I was playing.”