Wimbledon Championships, the third Grand Slam of the regular season, kicks off today with the first round matches both in women's and men's singles. Unlike any edition from the past, both contests have some huge stakes ahead as the world no. 1 seat is in sight.
In men's contest, the list of top-seeded players includes Stan Wawrinka who is expected to make some noise after a solid first part of the season. Seeded fifth, Wawrinka shares a challenging quarter with Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Nick Kyrgios.
A few weeks ago, the current no. 1 Swiss male player lost the French Open final to Rafael Nadal.
It was his first loss in a Major final, but it also brought him to the big table. With only a second round to defend from last year, Wawrinka may even be a brand new world no. 1 two weeks from now.
Career Slam and the world no. 1 spot
The 32-year-old Swiss has been a late bloomer in the ATP professional circuit. An average player for many years, he reached a whole new level once Magnus Norman was co-opted as the main coach back in 2013. Since 2014, Wawrinka made a habit of winning one Grand Slam each season.
Australian Open was the first of this kind back in 2014, then it came that unexpected French Open success in 2015 and the last one emerged last autumn as Stan clinched the US Open. The unwritten law may indicate that Wimbledon is the next piece of the puzzle but he has already featured a Major final this year losing it to Nadal.
So far, Wimbledon is the only place in Grand Slam scheme where Wawrinka has been less successful. His best outcomes on the British lawns are two consecutive quarterfinals (2014, 2015). Last year, he was stopped in the second round by Juan Martin del Potro.
Wawrinka could face Andy Murray in the quarter-finals while Rafael Nadal is the projected opponent for the semis.
Of course, these are all based on ranking position, and a lot of unexpected outcomes may emerge. In order to be the new world no. 1, Wawrinka must win the tournament.
History is in the making
With the last decade or so being under Big Four domination, Wawrinka has the unique opportunity to break the monopoly into pieces. It was back in January 2004 when a player outside the Big Four was ranked as the world no.
1. Andy Roddick was in that position before Federer came in stealing the show after 2004 Australian Open success over Marat Safin.
For Wawrinka, the longest road of his career will start with a clash against Daniil Medvedev (49 ATP) of Russia. The 21-year-old is one of best newcomers of the ATP Tour and will face Wawrinka for the first time. An interesting clash lays ahead as both players' desires aim the second week of the tournament.
