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By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, Might 31, 2023
On the backyard court docket, French followers showered Stan Wawrinka with loving ovation.
The 38-year-old Swiss poured every bit of himself right into a Roland Garros second-round battle with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Watch: Kasatkina Creates Crazy Tweener
Ultimately, wild card Kokkinakis subdued Wawrinka 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 in a pulsating victory that despatched him into his second Grand Slam third spherical and first because the 2015 French Open.
On the finish of a 4 hour, 40-minute battle on Courtroom Simonne Mathieu, Wawrinka stood and soaked within the love from French followers.
Moments like this 5 setter is why the three-time Grand Slam champion continues to play, however they do not utterly boring the frustration of defeat.
“It’s totally touching for me, and that is why I proceed. It is to reside these moments,” Wawrinka mentioned afterward. “However enjoying on Courtroom 14 or Simonne-Mathieu, folks know I am 38 years outdated and it is the top of my profession.
“I feel they’re attempting to get pleasure from to the fullest, and so they’re completely happy to see me. So we get pleasure from collectively. The tip of the match was unbelievable by way of environment. It was like a Davis Cup environment. This provides a number of feelings, in fact. So it helps accepting the loss. It helps shifting on and overcoming these losses. However I’ve to maintain that apart for the following steps.”
Thanks, @stanwawrinka 🙏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PYp8mVDolU
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2023
Parting was poignant, however Wawrinka insists this isn’t his ultimate farewell to Paris.
After finishing his 18th Roland Garros, the 2015 champion mentioned if his physique is wholesome he shall be again in Paris in 2024 each for Roland Garros and the Olympic Video games.
“Since I got here again from my harm, I did not simply come again to play one yr and say goodbye,” Wawrinka mentioned. “In any other case I’d have introduced it to make a correct farewell.
“However once more, in 12 months, many issues can occur, in order of as we speak, I am very optimistic with respect of what I can nonetheless accomplish and do. However I am going to must proceed working, training. I actually wish to go up within the rating, win extra matches.
“However I am 38 years outdated, so we are going to see subsequent yr. If every part goes nicely and I really feel I am nonetheless aggressive, I shall be there.”
Picture credit score: Mark Peterson/Corleve
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