At one time, it was almost mandatory for anyone writing about Stanislas Wawrinka to make a reference to his tattoo: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Not only has that become clichéd, it’s also untrue. The world’s No 4 tennis player and the holder of Grand Slam silverware is failing less, winning better.
On Sunday, when he hoisted his third Chennai Open trophy, it was his teenage challenger who had failed. In fact, runner-up Borna Coric, 19, had not only failed, he had failed again. This time however, he had failed better ‒ much better.
When the Zagreb-born Coric met Wawrinka in the pre-quarterfinal of last year’s Chennai Open, it was a tame 6-1, 6-4 end to his campaign. This time, showing more bite and fight, the scoreline looked a little more respectable: 6-3, 7-5.
Ambitious motto
This much we can understand about Coric through the prism of Wawrinka’s tattoo. But now it is going to be mandatory to untangle this young man through his own ink signature emblazoned on the underside of his right arm: “There is nothing worse in life than being ordinary.”
Borna Coric, who just turned 19 in November, is at the present moment in no danger of being considered ordinary. Extraordinariness is already being thrust upon him: soothsayers and experts see Grand Slams in his future, the tiaras are already being polished for this champion in the wings.
The first shining beacon of the Coric possibility erupted in Basel in 2014, when the teenager vanquished Rafa Nadal. He subsequently cemented his place in the “to watch out for category” with a victory against Andy Murray in February last year. These two Big Four scalps were taken even before he turned 19.
In 2013, Coric won the junior US Open. In 2014 he broke through the top 200. Last year he tore through the ATP rankings, reaching a career high of 33 in July. This year, he entered the Chennai Open at rank 44, and after the finals appearance has now gone up four spots to 40. He is currently the youngest ranked player in the top 50.
This does not smack of ordinariness. Nor did his competent performance on Sunday. Never in danger of posing a serious threat to double Grand Slam winner Stan the Man, Coric came into the match on the back of two three-set matches on preceding days.
Experience pays off
Though he generated breakpoints in the first set, he never managed to encash them. Though he made forays to the net in the second, it wasn’t always enough. Wawrinka was ultimately the fitter, better, more well-rested player with more weaponry against failing. He threaded silken backhands in his usual aesthetically pleasing fashion and unleashed the aces ever so often. His third Chennai Open title was there to be won.
Coric was probably just glad to be there. This was after all, his first ATP tournament final. He had officially joined the league of extraordinary gentlemen of the upper echelons. In the process he become the youngest player since 2008 to make a final.
Coric looked like a man who wasn’t there by chance. He pounded the court from both sides, and dived and dashed around for balls, matching Wawrinka closely in the second set, where the first break came at 5-5.
He let slide occasions to break back and could sometimes do little against Wawrinka’s strokeplay, sometimes descending into a defensive tailspin, on occasion pausing to appreciate his opponent.
But he is not shy of declaring his intentions to the world – through word or volley. Unabashedly declaring himself to be among the “best of his generation”, and comparing himself to the unassailable number one Novak Djokovic, he doesn’t hesitate to speak freely. He intends to be No 1, he talks a big game. And then he tries to go out and play it.
A colourful character
Borna Coric, is one of those players who will likely attach to himself the descriptor of “colourful character”. During his semi-final on Saturday, he chatted a lot: to his box, to himself, to the sky, to no one in particular. He tossed a racket asunder, and gesticulated heavily. It was just a dose of good old fashioned teenage spirit.
He also regaled the crowd with flashes of humour during his first post-match presentation ceremony. This too, was quite Djokovician; the ability to play the fool. “This is my first speech,” said Coric, “so I am going to make some mistakes. Just give me some time.” The crowd tittered in appreciation.
What, the presenter wanted to know, was the most impressive aspect of Wawrinka’s game that led to his downfall? “His serves,” began Coric, and then deadpanned on, “his backhands, forehands and volleys.”
By all accounts, Coric has a pretty complete set of all these strokes too. Having been hailed as “promising” for some time now, he will be expected to soon step up and further deliver on that promise. Lapsing into the ordinary has ceased to be an option.