Player Program: Stanislas Wawrinka

 

Finally getting recognition as one of the best players on tour, Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka (STAN niss las VAH vrin kah) has been in the shadow of Roger Federer for his whole career.  However, "Stan the Man" has much more of a game packed in is nonchalant demeanor that most people would realize.  When talking about Wawrinka, you really get down to the meat and potatoes of tennis.





Playing Style

Stanislas has a game that is based around heavy and consistent groundstrokes.  He can do many things on the court efficiently but normally doesn't have to because his groundies result in a winner or an error.  The interesting thing about Stan is that he can pull a considerable amount of power out of his body.  His ball is pretty heavy as he seems to use his core to produce most of his power.  He can move considerably well.  His defense isn't really great but he is on balance an astonishing amount of the time.  Also he has recently beefed up his serve.

Why He Wins

Stan has probably the strongest one-handed backhand (OBH) in all of tennis.  There are OBHs that have a ton of variety like Roger Federer.  And there are some that can produce a ton of topspin like Richard Gasquet.  Wawrinka's OBH, however, is a mosterous stroke of power.  Stan can use his OBH to direct the ball down the line and mess up the opponents balance considerably.  He backs this up with a competent forehand that he hits heavy and does not ask too much for when it comes to accuracy.  This combination alone, along with the free points his gets from his beefed up serve, is what makes him VERY dangerous (especially in heat).


Why He Loses

Stan is not a flashy personality, and sometimes he starts to play too unemotional.  Many times he neglects to pump himself up during the big moments and thus loses his will to fight.  Also, during the semifinals of the ATP world championship (indoors and cool temperature), Djokovic took advantage of Stan's technical problem with his OBH.  Because Stan uses his core so much, he cannot hit a good OBH on the run.and almost always slices it crosscourt.  Also, when the ball bounces at the service line with little energy, he has to go crosscourt as well (as all of us do).  Using that, he was able to control much of the rallies as the down the line OBH is Stan's greatest rally weapon.


Stanislas Wawrinka is a fundamentalists player.  He is strong and hustles and does not complain too much.  If you like your one-handed backhand or just like to watch a player beat up on the ball competently, then Wawrinka is your player.  He is like a fighter who hits hard but does not knock people out in one blow and is willing to go the distance.