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Donna Vekic had an amusing take while watching ex-boyfriend Stan Wawrinka play against Andy Murray at the 2024 French Open. Wawrinka and Murray squared off in a blockbuster opening-round clash at the Philippe-Chatrier.
This was their 23rd encounter with the Brit leading the head-to-head 13-10. It was also their fourth meeting at the Roland-Garros with the Swiss having won in three of those matches.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka and Donna Vekic were in a relationship between 2015 to 2019, which became well-known when Nick Kyrgios made fun of it during a Montreal match.
The 27-year-old Croatian, while watching her ex-boyfriend's 1R match with Andy Murray, shared an amusing take on her Instagram story. She indicated with a four-word reaction how the two veterans have long been squaring off and joked asking if we are really in 2024.
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Her story which shows her watching the face-off on a phone reads -
"What year is it?"
In the high-octane first round match, Stan Wawrinka defeated his old foe Andy Murray in straight sets to qualify for the next round at the 2024 French Open. The Swiss overpowered the former World No.1 to win the match 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. The match lasted two hours and 19 minutes.
The two tennis greats shared a hug at the nets after their clash at the 2024 Roland-Garros. The 39-year-old also had a few nice words for his longtime rival Murray, the two reminiscing on their rivarly running on 20 years.
Wawrinka said -
"My first words to him were respect to a great champion. As a tennis fan, I enjoyed watching Andy play against the great champions. We had battles with those players for nearly 20 years. We are not that young anymore. We are trying to make the best of what we have left."
"The first secret is training. There is no secret actually" - Stan Wawrinka on his legendary one-handed backhand
During his on-court interview with Alex Corretja after defeating Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka was asked about the technique of his legendary backhand. The Swiss who is one of the rare players who plays a one-handed backhand had a very simple answer to the question.
The three-time Major champion credited his team and maintained that there is no secret, that one just has to practice. Recalling his younger days when he used to visit Spain, Wawrinka revealed that he used to learn from Corretja as well, who employed a one-handed backhand in his playing days.
Wawrinka said -
"The first secret is training. There is no secret actually. You’re spending hours from the age of 16. I went regularly to Spain. I watched you and tried to learn from your great backhand as well. There’s no secret except work. I have a passion for what I do. I train with my team all the time. They’re pushing me. It’s a pleasure to be with them. So it’s as simple as that. You take your racquet, put your front foot forward. Then you hit. If you’re lucky, you hit a winner."
The 39-year-old will now face either Cameron Norrie or Pavel Kotov in the second round of the 2024 French Open.
