He had not raised his arms since February 8, 2021 and a victory against Pedro Sousa in the first round in Melbourne … Fifteen months.
An eternity.
Stan Wawrinka, 37, fell to 361st place in the ATP after a long recovery from a left foot injury, ended more than a year of drought by dominating the American Reilly Opelka (17th in the world) at the first round of the Masters 1000 in Rome (3-6, 7-5, 6-2), this Monday.
had no longer known the sweet scent of an ATP success.
The Swiss, led a set to 0 and 4 games to 2 in the second, managed to reverse a match that seemed badly started.
Winner in 2h 6, the former world number 3 will be opposed in the next round to Laslo Djere (58th) or Borna Coric (262nd).
What is Stan Wawrinka, winner of three Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open 2014, Roland-Garros 2015, US Open 2016) chasing today?
He had responded, before his return to competition, while he was doing much of his rehabilitation at the PSG training center at Camp des Loges.
"People often ask me why I'm trying to come back from injury and make a comeback, but it's because tennis is a passion, I love the public.
There are many who forget that when they turn professional, they take tennis too much as a job.
What motivates me and still pushes me is that I tell myself that I'm going to play, that I'm going to have fun.
»
