Stan Wawrinka was outclassed by Roger Federer in the final of the Indian Wells on Sunday. He was decimated 6-4, 7-5 by the 18-time Grand Slam champion, who lifted his fifth title in the Californian desert. Wawrinka was playing his fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title match in Indian Wells.
Wawrinka was in awe with Federer’s stellar season. “No. From that side, I think it’s more positive. That means you can still play your best tennis at that age. So it’s something you can learn from, especially for me,” said Wawrinka, who turns 32 next week. “He’s just amazing. The way he’s playing is just so beautiful, it’s just so nice. Everything looks perfect. He’s moving amazingly well. He has amazing touch. He’s doing everything you can do on the tennis court.”
Wawrinka has three wins against Federer, who has 20 against his friend. “He’s still a tough player to play for me, for my game, because he’s playing quick. He makes you feel uncomfortable and he mixes it up a lot... It’s always challenging,” Wawrinka said.
“I think to play a final against him in a Masters 1000 is something amazing for me. I wouldn’t have dreamed that a few years ago and now it’s the second we have played,” said Wawrinka, referring to their 2014 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters final. “I won the first one. I lost today. For sure I’m disappointed, but it’s still a great week for me.”
Wawrinka’s previous best finish in the desert had been the quarter-finals in 2008 and 2011. “I’m really happy to be in the final here in Indian Wells. It’s still an amazing result for me,” Wawrinka said. “I always want more, and I’m going to try to do everything possible to be the winner next time, but I need to take what’s positive. That’s what I’m going to do for the next few weeks.”
