In 2016, Stan Wawrinka won his third Grand Slam title at the US Open, after defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Wawrinka beat the Serb to continue his undefeated streak in major finals, having previously emerged victorious in the championship matches at Roland Garros in 2015 and the Australian Open in 2014.
The Swiss star equalled Andy Murray’s Grand Slam tally at a time when the Briton was widely considered to be on the level of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic, who were known together as the ‘big four’.
Following his triumph over the top seed at Flushing Meadows, Wawrinka was asked if he felt he should be a part of that group.
Stan Wawrinka’s comments about Novak Djokovic after the 2016 US Open final
A reporter said to Wawrinka after the match: “In his press conference, Novak was asked about whether it should now be a big five, and he said you deserve consideration. What is your feeling on that? Are you saying you’re not?”
The champion replied: “Novak is always so nice with me. I love him. He’s a good friend. He always say a lot of nice thing about me.
“The big four, I’m really far from them. Just look [at] the tournaments they won, how many years they’ve been there. If you look, yes, I have three Grand Slams. How many Masters 1000 have Murray [won]? They have been there since ten years.
| Player | Masters 1000 Titles |
|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 40 |
| Rafael Nadal | 36 |
| Roger Federer | 28 |
| Andy Murray | 14 |
| Stan Wawrinka | 1 |
“They have not only been winning, but being in semifinal, final every time. That’s why I’m not there. I don’t want to be there. For me, there is no question about that. But I’m trying the best I can with my career.
“I’m really, really happy with what I’m doing so far. I’m proud of myself by winning three Grand Slam. This is something I never expect and dream about it, but I have them and I’m happy to take the trophy back home.”
Stan Wawrinka’s head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic at majors
Wawrinka and Djokovic have played against each other 27 times on the ATP Tour, with nine of the clashes coming at Grand Slam events.
They first met at a major in 2012 at the US Open, where the former world number three had to retire due to injury mid-contest.
At the Australian Open the following year, Djokovic beat his rival over five sets and won their semi-final bout in New York later that season.
Finally, Wawrinka got his first win at a Grand Slam in the head-to-head at the Rod Laver Arena in 2014, and would go on to add three more in the years that followed.
The score between them at the biggest stages in tennis is currently 4-5 in favour of Djokovic.
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