Stan Wawrinka greeted the Bulgarian fans
“Hi, I am Stan Wawrinka. I will meet you this week at DIEMA XTRA Sofia Open”, Stan Wawrinka greeted the Bulgarian fans. The three times Grand Slam champion talked in an exclusive interview with Nova TV days before coming in Bulgaria for the 250 ATP tournament that started today in “Arena Armeec”.
Stan, first of all, we are really happy that we will have the opportunity to see you here in Sofia at DIEMA XTRA Sofia Open. How did you decide to play in Bulgaria in such a short notice?
I am really happy to come for the first time in Bulgaria, in Sofia. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the tournament. I came back from Australia with a lot of work to do for my knee, for my tennis-wise. I felt better this week, so I decided that it may be a good option for me to start a little bit earlier with tournaments.
So you are feeling much better now than at Australian Open?
Yeah, for sure. I am feeling much better. Since the first day I came back from Australia I was working really hard physically and also for my tennis. I am feeling better and better and starting to come back to my top level. I am happy with all the improvement I am making and I am happy to back in the tour.
How important was for you to play a couple of matches at Australian Open?
For me it was really important mentally, but as well – for my knee to see that everything is going to right direction. I knew I wasn’t ready to play in a good level and physically I was still far away from I want to be. But it was important to test the knee, to see how it is reacting and also mentally to be a little bit back in the tour.
You are coming from a small country, so may you know what mean role models such as Grigor Dimitrov for Bulgaria. What do you think about his progress last year – he won four trophies in 2017 and ended as world number three?
He is amazing player. And a really good friend of me. We practice a lot together. We used to play some doubles together. I was really happy for him last year when he won some big titles in Cincinnati and the World tour finals. He is a big champion and a tough player to play. I hope he can keep improving.
You know what is to play at home. How difficult it must be to Grigor not to play in Sofia?
I am sure, it is a really difficult. Especially when you have a tournament at home. You don’t have a lot of chances so much during the year to do it. I am sure he is really sad not to be able to play and to defense his title. I am sure he will come back next year.
You are three time Grand Slam champion and you used to world number three. What are your goals for 2018?
For me, my main goal is to come back at my top level physically and tennis-wise. I know it was really tough to be out for six months. Big surgeries take time to come back. So that is my first goal. When I feel ready with everything than I will try to see what more I can achieve.
You have won 16 ATP titles. Are you coming in Sofia for your 17-th?
I always come into tournament to play my best tennis. I am not even there yet. That is not the goal you are putting in your head before a tournament. It is to be ready for the first match. You know I didn’t play for six months and I had only one tournament in Australia. So I think it isn’t easy. I know what I can do, I know what my level can be when I am playing good tennis. But first of all I am really happy to be back on the Tour and to come to Sofia for the first time.
What do you know about our country?
I have never been in Bulgaria. It will be my first time. That’s why I am really excited. I’ve heard really good things and especially when there it is a tournament now. We talked last year a little bit with Grigor about this. So I am excited to see your country.
