In the realm of elite tennis, a game dominated by a select few, Daniil Medvedev, the former world number one, draws his inspiration from an unexpected source. His admiration does not primarily lie with the ‘big three’ – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, who collectively own a staggering 66 Grand Slam titles. Nor does it rest entirely with Andy Murray, another tennis titan who has clinched three major titles amidst the reign of the big three. Instead, Medvedev’s main source of inspiration is Stan Wawrinka, a player who defied the odds to win three Grand Slam titles.
Between the Australian Open of 2002 and the French Open of 2023, the group of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, and Wawrinka were the only men to bag multiple Grand Slam championships. The five legends accumulated an awe-inspiring 72 out of 81 major trophies on offer during this period. Medvedev, in a rare departure from this pattern, emerged victorious at the 2021 US Open, defeating Djokovic in the final and becoming one of the nine other players to secure a single Grand Slam title in these 20 years.
Medvedev recently opened up about his inspirations in an interview with the Khaleej Times. While acknowledging Murray’s extraordinary career and his awe-inspiring double Olympic gold feat, Medvedev expressed a deep admiration for Wawrinka. He singled out Wawrinka, who clinched his first Grand Slam title at the age of 29, as a significant source of inspiration. Despite being regularly bested by the top players, Wawrinka’s persistent drive to succeed resonates with Medvedev.
Amidst the rise of new talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Medvedev candidly assessed his prospects of adding to his Grand Slam tally. He admitted to a recent slip in his form but also highlighted his proven ability to beat anyone when he is at his best. His ultimate goal is to recapture his top form, as he showed signs of doing in Doha, and use that momentum to triumph in Dubai. He believes that a return to form could pave the way for more Grand Slam victories.
As he gears up for the Dubai Championships, where Medvedev is the top seed, he is looking forward to seizing his first title since May 2023. His journey, marked by resilience and a determination to succeed, is a testament to the inspiring influence of Stan Wawrinka, who, much like Medvedev, carved a niche for himself in an era of tennis dominated by a select few.
