“I have seen him play better in the past”- Stefanos Tsitsipas skeptical over Stan Wawrinka’s comeback after long injury layoff

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Stan Wawrinka

3-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka is all set to play in his first tour-level match in more than a year at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters after an injury-plagued 2021 season. The Swiss star missed the better half of last season as he had to undergo a foot surgery.

Wawrinka made a return to professional tennis at Marbella Challenger last month, where he lost in straight sets to Elias Ymer. The former World No.3 still has a long way to go before he returns back to his top form. Stefanos Tsitsipas has given his two cents over Wawrinka’s return after a long injury layoff. The Greek was initially hesitant on giving his opinion but later said he is skeptical about the 37-year-old’s return as he is tilly rusty from his prolonged absence from the tour. Tsitsipas however said that is hard to judge right now given the limited timeframe since Wawrinka’s return.

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“I have seen him definitely play better. Having practiced with him in the past, he can play good tennis, Stan. On his best days, he’s someone that can step on the court and do a lot of good things out there from everywhere around the court. I feel like I have seen him better in the past, but I don’t think anyone should be judging based on that, because he’s just right off his surgery and you cannot be playing at 100% straightaway. It’s not really possible, to be honest with you,” Tsitsipas said in an interview with puntodebreak.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas eyes title defense at the Monte-Carlo Masters

Tsitsipas had a stunning clay-court season last year, he won his first Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo, which he then followed up with a maiden Grand Slam final appearance at the Roland Garros. He was the first player from Greece to reach the final of a Major. But couldn’t cap it off with a title triumph despite holding a two-set lead over Novak Djokovic.

Tsistipas had a subpar season so far and will be hoping to turn around his season in Monte-Carlo. The 3rd seed has been handed a relatively easy draw. He is in the same half as Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger Aliassime, and will fancy his chances of reaching the finals with Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on the other end of the draw. Tsitsipas will kickstart his campaign against Fabio Fognini or Arthur Rinderknech in the second round. As for Wawrinka, he will face a stern test in form of Alexander Bublik in the first round.