3-time major champion Stan Wawrinka has a response for the people questioning his decision to still hanging on the tour at 39 years but the veteran star says that he is free to make his own decision on retirement and will not be influenced by others.
Wawrinka believes that his critics have right to have an opinion and talk about the highs and lows of his career but the Swiss feels some things are more important than results.
Wawrinka currently ranks at #80 but the Swiss star from his career best #3 spot but he feels he can still get back at the top of his game.
The 39-year-old still sees himself as a top contender and feels there is still a few titles left in him no matter what is age is at the moment.
The 16-time ATP tour titlist thinks that he still set and achieve some goals at this stage of career.
“There are always goals,” said Wawrinka while talking to Express Sport.
“I think as an athlete it’s important to set yourself some goals.
“I also know that of course, the goals I had 10 years ago are not the same now, especially after so many injuries and surgeries the last few years.
“I’ve been on tour for 20 years and of course when I get to 39 years old and I’m 80 in the world, for sure people will ask me the question and I have no problem with that,” Wawrinka added.
“It’s just the way I want to answer it and the way I want to prove that I still want to be there.
“At the end of the day, I decide what I’m going to do with my tennis career.
“And as much as I enjoy what I’m doing, I’m passionate about that, I still feel competitive to play some big matches and to win some good matches, I want to keep going because it’s a chance to be still playing at that level.”
Wawrinka revealed his desire to reach a 17th career title on the ATP Tour.
“I would love to win a title again, that’s my personal goal,” expressed the 2015 French Open Champion.
“And the rest is about doing the right thing every day, pushing yourself to be the best I can be today at my age where I am in my career it’s really important to control what you can control.
“That means the practice that means what you do every day, because the results you cannot really control but you can prepare yourself the best way possible for it.”