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The Big Four stay the Big Four, says Wawrinka

September 13, 2016 19:59 IST

US Open champ says not fair to be clubbed among modern tennis greats

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, winner of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament poses with the trophy in Manhattan, New York on Monday

IMAGE: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, winner of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament poses with the trophy in Manhattan, New York on Monday. Photograph: Tony Pyle/Reuters

Stan Wawrinka has refused to be drawn into comparisons with the 'Big Four' of tennis -- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray -- despite winning his third Grand Slam title at the US Open on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Swiss maestro has beaten all of them in the elite club at some stage of his career, outplaying even top-ranked Djokovic twice in Grand Slam finals.

Explaining his reluctance in being equated with the elite club, Wawrinka pointed out that his rivals had been consistently reaching the semis and finals of major competitions unlike him.

"Because, first, I think it's not fair for them to put me there," Wawrinka was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

"They have been there since more than 10 years. They have been in all semi-finals of grand slams, all finals, all semi-finals of Masters 1000, all finals.

"They have been winning everything and I think it is just not fair. The big four stay the big four, like that. I am me. I have been achieving something that I never expect the last three years, I have been winning three grand slams and it's more than amazing. But I don't want to keep talking about being part of them or close to them. The big four stay the big four. It's part of tennis history, and it will always be like that and I think it's great like that." 

Source: ANI