SUMMARY
- Stan Wawrinka voices discontent over practice conditions at Indian Wells Masters.
- Despite his frustration, Wawrinka remains determined to compete in the ATP 1000 tournament.
As the 2024 Indian Wells Masters approaches, veteran Swiss tennis star Stan Wawrinka has taken to social media to voice his discontent regarding the practice conditions at the tournament. In a direct message to the tournament director, Wawrinka expressed his frustration with the lack of top-quality facilities available to players before the competition begins.
Indian Wells, the ATP 1000 Masters tournament renowned for attracting some of the biggest names in tennis, including past champions like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, is set to host the tournament from March 6th to 17th, showcasing the talents of players from across the globe.
Wawrinka’s concerns emerged when he received practice balls that failed to meet his expectations during a training session. Taking to X, a social media platform, Wawrinka posed a pointed question to the tournament director, Tommy Haas, and the ATP Tour, stating, “Is it not normal that in 2024 at @BNPPARIBASOPEN, one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, we have to do our second practice with old balls?”
Question :
Is not normal that in 2024 at @BNPPARIBASOPEN one of biggest tennis tournament in the world ,we have to do are 2nd practice with old balls ?? @atptour @TommyHaas13
Thats 1 rally play with the ball 😂🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/L0NR65rFvv— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) March 1, 2024
His frustration was palpable as he lamented the inability to maintain even a single rally with the deteriorating second-hand Penn balls, a situation he found unacceptable given the tournament’s esteemed status as a Masters event.
This critical feedback from Wawrinka comes at a pivotal moment in his career, as he seeks to rebound from a challenging start to the season. Having lost three out of his first four ATP Tour matches, the 38-year-old remains determined to compete well in the Indian Wells Masters, the inaugural ATP 1000 level tournament of the season.
However, his commitment to excellence extends beyond his performance to the overall conditions provided for players participating in the event including the right to have new balls for practice at the ATP 1000 event.
Stan Wawrinka’s strategic withdrawal with sight on clay season
Stan Wawrinka has opted out of the 2024 Miami Open, withdrawing from the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in a strategic move aimed at preserving his energy for the upcoming Clay Court swing. Despite being one of the more seasoned players on the ATP Tour, the three-time Grand Slam champion at 38 years of age remains resolute in his commitment to continue competing, showing no signs of retirement.
Stan Wawrinka Withdraws From 2024 Miami Open https://t.co/L6vtrbUnLj
— tennis-infinity.com (@TennisInfinity1) March 1, 2024
While preparing for the Indian Wells Open, Wawrinka’s decision to forego the Miami Open suggests a deliberate strategy rather than injury concerns or physical limitations. With no apparent signs of fatigue, his focus likely shifts towards optimizing his performance for the clay season, the slow dirt being his most favored surface at this moment in his career.
The stacking of the Monte-Carlo Masters to the Miami Open has prompted Stan Wawrinka to prioritize preparation for the European clay events where he also might consider playing some challenger tournaments in a bid to get acclimatized to the surface. Wawrinka’s withdrawal from the Miami Open underlines his strategic approach to maximize his performance in the upcoming Clay Court swing leading to the French Open.