Wawrinka: “Embrace Your Passion in Everything You Do”
Swiss legend reflects on motivating the future stars of tennis
November 04, 2025
By Martin Dagahs/ATP Tour
Stan Wawrinka admiring Athens from above.
Photo courtesy of ATP Staff
Following his recent experience at the Swiss Indoors Basel, Stan Wawrinka took to social media to express his deep-rooted passion for tennis. This fervor has inspired a new generation of players who aspire to emulate the achievements of the three-time Grand Slam champion.
What advice would he offer to those eager to follow in his footsteps?
“Ultimately, the key is to love what you do,” Wawrinka shared with ATPTour.com at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens. “Enjoying the journey and the joy that comes with being a player is essential. Tennis offers a remarkable life. If you’re passionate about it, traveling the globe to play tennis is truly special.”
A fresh wave of Swiss talent is emerging in the PIF ATP Rankings, having grown up watching Wawrinka compete at top levels and learning invaluable lessons from him as they join the tour.
Leandro Riedi and Jerome Kym made impressive runs to the fourth and third rounds, respectively, at the US Open, while 18-year-old Henry Bernet clinched the boys’ singles title at this year’s Australian Open and is now competing alongside Wawrinka in Athens.
“Seeing the new generation rise has always amazed me,” Wawrinka remarked. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to compete with them and against them. It’s a unique experience for any player to face different generations.”
“I always hope for more young players to join the sport because that’s what keeps it exciting.”
Wawrinka enjoys a vast fanbase across the globe. Known affectionately as ‘Stan the Man,’ he remarked, “This year has been incredible for fans of tennis.”
“Different generations are competing against each other. While Sinner and Alcaraz dominate the top of the rankings, Novak continues to push for greatness, making it all the more special.”
“With such a variety of personalities in the sport, fans have every reason to relish these matches.”
Excitement builds for Wawrinka’s forthcoming clash with second seed Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday. For Musetti, claiming the Athens title is crucial for securing the final spot at the Nitto ATP Finals.
“He faces a significant challenge to achieve that,” Wawrinka noted after his first-round victory against Botic van de Zandschulp. “It’s an important match for him, and he’s been performing exceptionally well. I’ve followed his progress closely this year, so I’m eager to see how I measure up against him.”
