Stan Wawrinka Admits Playing in Roger Federer's Shadow Was Not Easy
Swiss tennis star Stan Wawrinka has long carved out an impressive career in his own right, but the three-time Grand Slam champion recently reflected on what it was like growing up in the shadow of Roger Federer — widely considered the greatest player of all time.
Speaking candidly, Wawrinka addressed the familiar "what if" questions that often plague athletes: What if circumstances had been different? What if Federer hadn't been there, dominating the spotlight? What if he was born in France instead of Switzerland? Yet for Wawrinka, entertaining hypotheticals holds little appeal.
"The only thing I don't like about sport is the 'if' questions," he said with a smile. "With 'ifs,' you can change the world."
“I can see is that it's different than being in Switzerland. The pressure is different, but on the other hand, in France, it's easy to start your career with support thanks to Roland-Garros and all the tournaments in the country,” said the Swiss legend.
“All I know is that I grew up in Switzerland and made my career as a Swiss in Roger’s (Federer) shadow, which wasn't easy either.”
Nonetheless, Wawrinka considers himself immensely lucky to have Federer, whom he calls the greatest player of all time" in the same country and next to him.
“I couldn't change the fact that Roger was here, that he was the greatest player of all time. You can't decide the results of other players, those of our generation. All you can do is focus on your career,” said Stan.
Wawrinka also acknowledges that growing up and rising through the ranks in Switzerland during Federer’s reign was both a challenge and a blessing.
"I've had positives and negatives," Wawrinka said. "I've always tried, as best I could, to take the positives from every situation."
Wawrinka recognized the privilege of having Federer as a compatriot and mentor, sharing practice courts, conversations, and experiences like the Olympics and Davis Cup with Federer provided him with invaluable insights that helped shape his own career. Still, the journey wasn't without its pressures.
In Switzerland, the expectations were sky-high, and living up to the Federer standard was an impossible task for anyone. But Wawrinka never tried to change the uncontrollable.
Wawrinka's story is one of perseverance and authenticity — forging his own legacy not by measuring himself against Federer, but by striving to be the best version of himself. His three Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold medal in doubles (alongside Federer), and Davis Cup triumph are testaments to a career built on resilience, patience, and quiet excellence.
As he continues his journey on the ATP Tour, Wawrinka’s reflections offer a powerful reminder: greatness isn't always about being the biggest name — sometimes, it’s about finding your own light, even in the brightest of shadows.
