Stan Wawrinka: ‘The most important thing is to love what you do’ | ATP Tour

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Wawrinka: “The most important thing is to love what you do”

Swiss reflect on how to inspire next generation of stars

November 04, 2025

Stan Wawrinka expressed his passion for tennis in an emotional social media post following last month’s Basel Indoors in Switzerland. It is this attitude that makes many young players look up to the 40-year-old and strive to become like the three-time Grand Slam champion.

What is his message to those trying to follow in his footsteps?

“I think the most important thing in the end is [thing] “Love what you do,” Wawrinka told ATPTour.com at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Greek Championship in Athens. “Enjoy the process, enjoy the road.” [Being a] Tennis player, it’s an amazing life. If you’re passionate about your sport, it’s so special to be able to travel the world playing tennis. “

A new generation of Swiss players is rising up the PIF ATP rankings, having grown up watching Wawrinka perform at the highest level and able to learn from the former world number three while playing with Wawrinka on tour.

Leandro Riedi and Jerome Kym reached the fourth and third rounds of the US Open respectively, while 18-year-old Henry Bernet won this year’s Australian Open men’s singles title and competes in the same event as Wawrinka in Athens this week.

“For me it’s always amazing to see a new generation coming,” Wawrinka said. “I’m also excited to have the opportunity to play with them and against them. As a player, it’s always special to be able to play against players from different generations.

“You always want more players to come – more young players to come – because that’s what you want to see.”

Wawrinka has countless fans around the world. “Stan” himself is a big fan of the sport and said “it’s been a great year for fans to watch tennis”.

“Different generations compete against each other,” Wawrinka said. “Of course, Sinner and Alcaraz are at the top of the list, but Novak is still trying to achieve amazing goals, so it’s always special.

“You have a lot of different personalities, different players playing the sport, so as a tennis fan you can just enjoy that.”

Many fans will appreciate Wawrinka’s matchup against second-seeded Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday. The Italian must win the Athens title to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

“He has a [big] “It’s a challenge for him to achieve that and it’s certainly important for him,” Wawrinka said after his first-round victory over Botik van der Zandschulp. “It’s a big challenge. [facing him]. He played well. I’ve seen him play a lot this year, so I’m looking forward to playing against him and seeing where I’m at now. “