Wawrinka breaks down in tears as he delivers emotional speech after dropping ultimate
Stan Wawrinka broke down in tears on the court docket after struggling a slender defeat within the Croatia Open ultimate to Alexei Popyrin on Sunday because the veteran tennis star dropped a touch over his future. The Swiss star was taken to a deciding set by Popyrin however fell quick because the Australian clinched the ATP 250 title in Umag, and the depth of the battle appeared to overwhelm Wawrinka as he spoke out on court docket.
Popyrin defeated the 16-time champion 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 to say his second ATP Tour title after battling by the ache barrier in a valiant third-set show. The 23-year-old was hampered by cramp in his proper leg within the fourth sport on the ultimate set and his motion was restricted consequently.
But he ultimately noticed off his skilled opponent Wawrinka in two hours and 36 minutes on court docket. The three-time Grand Slam winner regarded emotional as he fought again tears when addressing the group, as he paid tribute to the spectators for his or her help.
“I do know it’s so silly to cry, however I really like this sport a lot,” Wawrinka said in his post-match interview on court. “You make it actually particular. Amazing week.
“Hopefully I can come back. Thank you for the support. Thank you for being here. Hopefully I see you next year.”
It is not the first time that Wawrinka has hinted that this year could be his last in the sport. Injuries have taken their toll on his fitness and form, with Wawrinka currently 72nd in the world, and his season started on a disappointing note when he suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Alex Molcan at the Australian Open.
Wawrinka was then knocked out of the French Open in the second round by Thanasi Kokkinakis and he was soundly beaten by Novak Djokovic in straights sets in round three at Wimbledon.
At the peak of his powers, he was ranked third in the ATP world rankings in 2014 after winning the Australian Open that year. The following year, he would go on to win the French Open and he clinched his last Major at the US Open in 2016.
Back in March, Wawrinka lifted the lid on his plans to retire and said he had no intention of stopping while he was still enjoying the occasion. But his tearful goodbye in Croatia suggests he may have had a change of heart.
“Of course it’s always special. That’s one of the main reasons why I keep playing tennis,” Wawrinka told the ATP.
“I enjoy what I’m doing. I’m passionate about it. The emotion that I get from the fans, from the people in each tournament, from the support that I can get in matches, is always going to be special.
“I wish to get pleasure from that as a lot as I can as a result of the day that I’ll cease there will probably be no return.”