Stan Wawrinka was on Monday revelling in his tennis revival after leading a group of young Swiss into the Davis Cup World Group with a 3-2 defeat of Germany away at the weekend.
The three-time Grand Slam champion who turns 38 next month has been fighting back from knee problems for the past few seasons.
But while playing for his nation for the first time since 2015, he sealed the tie in Trier with a singles defeat of Daniel Altmaier after losing singles to Alexander Zverev and going down in doubles.
The No. 134 who once stood third in the world, was well-pleased: “I’m very happy, really, it means a lot to me to win the fifth point of the tie and allow these guys to move on.
“I felt much better against Altmaier than against Zverev, I had the ability to control the rallies and my returns.
“The (German) public got involved and I had to fight a lack of confidence and rhythm – that’s what makes the victory even more beautiful and important.”
The veteran said he’s made something of a breakthrough.
“What I’ve done this week is just what I needed to improve my chances this season of staying healthy and competitive.
“I think I can improve my ranking a lot,” he said, adding that he will stick with the squad this season for the finals in Malaga in November.
Switzerland, with Wawrinka and Roger Federer on board, won the Davis trophy in 2014 over France in Lille.
And it is that the next time for the Swiss team will be in September, when they have to fight for one of the tickets that give access to the 2023 Davis Cup Finals that will be held in Malaga in November.
“My intention is to be there, I’ve loved sharing this week with these guys and I want to help the team.
“I think we have a lot of potential and that Marc-Andrea Huesler has the great ability to grow in important games”, declares Stan Wawrinka , delighted with the possibility that this collective project can relaunch his tennis and give him back some of the confidence and competitive rhythm he lost.
Main photo:-Stan Wawrinka beating Daniel Altmaier in Trier – by ITF
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