Stan Wawrinka names who was hardest & easiest to face among Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray

Stan Wawrinka might have beaten Rafael Nadal for the Australian Open title in 2014, but he said that the toughest opponent he faced among tennis’ Big Four was the legendary Spaniard.

Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray are widely referred to as tennis’ Big Four, and Wawrinka has played many notable matches against this elite class of stars.

Wawrinka won six of his 27 matches against Djokovic, while he did not have as much success against his compatriot Federer, losing 20 of their 23 clashes. His best record among the Big Four is against Andy Murray with a 10:13 ratio and the Swiss won their last two clashes.

Wawrinka, speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, admitted that his toughest opponent among the Big Four was Spanish maestro Nadal. In their 22 matches, he managed just three wins against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

“Well, they're all bit so tough. We all have been there, but I think Rafa on clay at the French Open (was the toughest to face). It's especially (difficult) high on the backhand, nonstop. You feel like he’s coming at you every single ball. You don't see any option how to put any winner, how to put him out of the court,” said Wawrinka.

Nadal had beaten Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 and was in stunning form at the 2017 French Open as he did not drop a set en route to winning his 10th claycourt Major. This was the first time Stan Wawrinka had lost in the final of a Major. Incidentally, he had upset Nadal for his first-ever Grand Slam title at the 2014 Australian Open.

Stan Wawrinka says Novak Djokovic was his favorite opponent among the Big Four

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka at the 2023 Wimbledon. Source: Getty

Former American tennis player and now pickleball star Jack Sock went on to ask Stan Wawrinka who he enjoyed playing the most among the Big Four and the Swiss great had an interesting response.

“It depends on how you're going to take my answer because I think I lost more than 20 times to Novak, but he’s the one I was feeling happy to play (against)," Wawrinka said. "Even though I lost in the 2014 ATP London final 6-0, 6 3, I enjoyed playing against him. He hits the ball so cleanly. You feel like even if he destroys you, you are kind of happy because you played the perfect tennis player in front of you.”

Stan Wawrinka last beat Djokovic in the round of 16 of the 2019 US Open, while the Serbian cruised to a straight-sets win during their last clash at the Wimbledon in 2023.

Wawrinka, now 39, is currently ranked 154 in the world and will next be in action at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, France, this week.