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Stan Wawrinka recalled his epic 2015 French Open victory over Novak Djokovic (Image: Getty)
When Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka stepped out onto Court Philippe-Chatrier for the French Open final in 2015, everyone was thinking it was Djokovic’s moment. He had just beaten Rafael Nadal – handing the Spaniard his second-ever loss at the tournament – was on a 28-match winning streak, and was the overwhelming favourite.
But Wawrinka came in with a game plan. The Swiss star knew he was “ready to fight” and did just that, stunning the world No. 1 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 to lift his second of three Major trophies and denying Djokovic the career Grand Slam. Reflecting on his triumphant victory nine years on, the former world No. 3 told Express Sport exactly what he was thinking walking onto the court that day and addressed another huge talking point from the final – his outfit.
With just one week to go until the French Open begins, the men’s draw is arguably the most wide-open it has been in almost two decades. Since 2005, the winner’s circle has been tiny in Paris with only four men lifting the trophy – the Big Three and Wawrinka. And Wawrinka’s story will serve as motivation for this year’s hopefuls as they bid to lift the Musketeers’ Cup.
“As a tennis player, you always remember almost all the match,” the 39-year-old told Express Sport nine years after his crowning moment. “But French Open, I think it’s my closest Grand Slam. It’s because [it’s] the one I won in junior, the only one I played in junior. It’s also not far from where I’m born, Switzerland, I’m from the French part so I have a lot of friends in France. I always had my family, friends coming to Paris because it’s close. So it’s my closest one.”
Despite being the No. 8 seed, Wawrinka was the clear underdog walking into the final. But he blocked out the noise and told himself to focus on something else as he entered the court. The Swiss player continued: “I remember being able to enter the court for the final, 3pm.
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Stan Wawrinka gifted Novak Djokovic a replica keyring of the infamous shorts he wore in the final (Image: X @stanwawrinka)
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“Like, all my career I always watch every final of the French Open so I remember telling myself, because I was really nervous entering the court and telling myself, Please take a moment to look around. When you enter the court, just enjoy, appreciate the moment because you worked so hard all your career to be here so enjoy the moment when you walk around, see the crowd, see the fans. And as soon as you start the warm-up then you focus on the match.”
Wawrinka was laser-focused on the match, hitting 59 winners to 30 from the top seed as he produced what he thought was his best-ever performance on the clay, executing his game plan to perfection. “Of course he was the big favourite, he didn’t lose a match I think 30 matches in a row, he was No. 1, beat Rafa so he was the big favourite entering the court,” the current world No. 87 explained.
“But I also knew that level-wise I was ready to fight him, I was ready to play against him. Physically I was ready, I was feeling my best I could for the final. So I was really focused on the game, on my game plan to really push my game through this match and to try and push him every shot. And at the end, I played one of my best matches of my career, the best level I played I think on a clay court and it was in the final of the French Open so quite happy with it.”
Stan Wawrinka is an evian brand ambassador (Image: evian)
Wawrinka didn’t just steal the show with his clinical display that day, he also raised eyebrows for his choice of attire. Reminiscent of a dad’s pyjamas or a gaudy, old-fashioned tablecloth, Wawrinka donned red-and-white plaid shorts at the 2015 French Open. They have now become infamous, with even Djokovic cracking jokes about the eccentric look.
Nine years on, does Wawrinka still have them? “Yes the shorts, of course I keep them. I use them for swim shorts now,” he laughed. The former world No. 3 also immortalised the pants forever when he had them made into a replica keyring, a gift he gave to Djokovic. “Hopefully [he] still has it, if not I will give him one more,” he grinned.
Wawrinka was speaking ahead of the launch of evian’s new Mountain of Youth campaign, which encourages youthful spirit. “For me having this Mountain of Youth campaign is the best timing, especially getting older but still trying to be there with the young players, it’s something great,” he said.
Stan Wawrinka is an evian Global Brand Ambassador and stars in the brand’s new campaign which invites everyone to embark on a joyful journey to discover the Mountain of Youth, a mystical place where you can rejuvenate the body and mind, regardless of age, thanks to the purity of evian water. The new campaign also sees evian reignite its iconic Live Young brand signature. Discover more about how to prioritise wellness and make life feel more joyous at Evian.com.
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