NEW YORK — Stan Wawrinka says his countryman Roger Federer will be back.
Federer and Wawrinka won a gold medal in doubles for Switzerland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but up until this last week at the U.S. Open, Wawrinka has lived in Federer’s long shadow on the singles court.
For the first time in 35 Majors, Wawrinka went deeper than Federer did. Federer was excused from the tournament by Tommy Robredo in straight sets in the fourth round, thereby preventing the dream quarterfinal against Rafael Nadal that tennis fans everywhere were anticipating.
Wawrinka, meantime, knocked off No. 5 Tomas Berdych in the fourth round and No. 3 Andy Murray — the defending Open and Wimbledon champ — in the quarters before losing an epic five-set semifinal to Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
“For me right now I am quite happy about my present, so I’m just trying to — I need to see how it’s gonna be the end of the year, because still have some big tournament,” said Wawrinka, 28. “I need to see how my relation with [coach] Magnus [Norman] will continue and how we’re gonna deal with that. I’m quite positive about my game in general and my future.
“About Roger, I’m sure it’s a tough year for him. I’m sure next year is going to be much more better because he still have the game, he still is a great champion. I’m sure he need to adapt a few things in his calendar or in his game, but he will find a way how to come back.”
For the first time since 2002, Federer, 32, did not appear in a Major final.
The all-time men’s leader with 17 Grand Slam titles, Federer currently sits at No. 7 in the world rankings, while Wawrinka is No. 10.
Still, Norman, a former world No. 2 who also coached French Open finalist Robin Soderling, said there is no rivalry between Federer and Wawrinka.
“I think both guys are happy for one another when it’s going well,” Norman said. “But this is something that the press and the media creates.
“Stan has his career and he’s never spoken anything about that. I don’t think [Wawrinka] feels any pressure. I think he’s really, really happy when Roger is playing well and I think Roger is texting Stan when he’s doing well. I know he’s happy for him.”
