"I will get a lesson for free" - Stan Wawrinka gives cheeky response to fan doubting his chances against Jannik Sinner at ABN Amro Open
A blockbuster clash between Stan Wawrinka and Jannik Sinner is set to take place later on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2023 ABN Amro Open in Rotterdam. While Wawrinka's on-court game is clearly firing this week, his sense of humor was also on point on the eve of the match, as he shut down a fan with a cheeky response.
Both Wawrinka and Sinner reached the final-eight with wins over highly challenging opponents, raising the prospect of a thriller in Rotterdam. While Sinner stunned the in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-3, Wawrinka beat Gasquet 6-3, 6-3 in a match between the veterans.
While there is high anticipation and excitement among fans ahead of Wawrinka's quarterfinal clash with Sinner, one fan shared their belief that the 37-year-old Stan Wawrinka should accept defeat even before the match.
"Wawrinka should just default loss and save his energy for next tourney lol. He has no chance," a Twitter user wrote.
@TennisTV @janniksin @stanwawrinka Wawrinka should just default loss and save his energy for next tourney lol
He has no chance
Responding to the same, the three-time Grand Slam champion joked that he could at least get a 'free tennis lesson' from Sinner if he played the match.
"I will get a lesson for free at least," Wawrinka wrote, sarcastically.
@tercet86 @TennisTV @janniksin I will get a lesson for free at least 😉
Wawrinka leads his head-to-head record with Sinner by 2-1.
Earlier in the tournament, Wawrinka beat Alexander Bublik 7-6(5), 6-4 in the Round of 32 before his Round of 16 win over Gasquet. The ongoing ABN Amro Open is only the second tour-level points tournament world No. 130 Wawrinka has played in the 2023 season. In his only previous tournament, he lost a five-set thriller to Alex Molcan at the Australian Open.
However, Wawrinka also played in Switzerland's Davis Cup tie against Germany and helped his team qualify for the group stage with a thrilling win against Daniel Altmaier.
Stan Wawrinka jokes with fan about his three Grand Slam title victories
Stan Wawrinka seems to be enjoying responding to fans on social media who have raised doubts about his abilities. Earlier, a tennis fan expressed their surprise at Wawrinka having won three Grand Slam singles titles. Wawrinka won the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open.
"I sometimes still cannot understand how Stan Wawrinka won three Grand Slams!!" read a tweet.
I sometimes still cannot understand how Stan Wawrinka won three Grand Slams!!
Wawrinka simply responded by joking that he too is unsure how he was able to pull off the achievements.
"Me neither," Wawrinka tweeted in response.
@MrVatsalVora Me neither 😉
If the Swiss star beats Sinner on Friday, he will face the winner of the match between surprise quarterfinalists Tallon Griekspoor and Gijs Brouwer in Saturday's semifinals in Rotterdam.