We are used to seeing a Swiss in the winner’s circle but not this one, and rarely after the incredible drama that saw Stanislas Wawrinka elevated to the status of Grand Slam champion.
Wawrinka followed his great friend Roger Federer into that exclusive club by claiming an extraordinary Australian Open final against a stricken Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes.
The Swiss had to overcome a complete scrambling of his mind before seeing off Nadal, who required extensive treatment on a lower back injury before recovering somewhat and making life extremely difficult in the fourth set.
Confused by the condition of his opponent, Wawrinka looked like a nervous wreck in the third set, but regained his composure to see off the Spaniard and win his first Major at 28. He becomes the first new men’s winner of a Grand Slam since Andy Murray at the 2012 U.S Open, and the first non ‘Big Four’ champion since Juan Martin Del Potro in 2009.
As for Nadal, he will have to wait some more before equalling Pete Sampras, watching in the crowd, in winning fourteen of the sport’s biggest prizes.
The world number one appeared to jar his back towards the end of the first set and then quickly deteriorate at the start of the second as Wawrinka jumped to an early break.
He then went off for a three minute treatment break at 1-2, and looked shocked when boos greeted his return. While he was off the Swiss furiously argued with umpire Carlos Ramos about the reasons for his absence, although the official did not need to give a reason and may not havBut with the Spaniard barely able to move in the second, and having more running repairs on court at 4-1 down, Wawrinka was able to carry himself to a two set lead, doubtless unaware that nobody had lost a final here from two sets down since Roy Emerson took the title in 1965.
Nadal was still in discomfort in the third, but as is seen so often, the brouhaha at the other end of the court had the effect of unsettling the fit player, and the Swiss – completely in uncharted territory – stopped running his opponent about and began to spray the ball all over the place.
Painkillers seemed to be kicking in after the usual 20-25 gap it takes for them to show the benefit and gradually the Nadal rituals returned and his service speed started to go off as he was practically gifted the third set.
Wawrinka, who became the first player ever to beat Novak Djokovic and Nadal to win a Slam, said: 'I’m really sorry for Rafa, he’s a great guy and an amazing champion. Last year I had a crazy match against Novak (Djokovic) and lost and I was crying a lot after that. But a lot has happened in the last year. I still don’t know if I’m dreaming or not, we will find out tomorrow.'
Wawrinka also paid tribute to his coach, former Swedish player Magnus Norman. Although less visible than Stefan Edberg in his arrangement with Federer, Norman is fast acquiring the reputation as the world’s best.
Nadal had to fight back tears as he stood on the podium and addressed the crowd.
'Stan really deserved it, I’m very happy for you,' he said. 'I’m sorry it finished like this. I tried hard. It’s been a very emotional two weeks, one of the most emotional two weeks of my career.
'Last year was very tough when I didn’t even have the chance to be playing here.'
sou
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