Late bloomer Wawrinka a serious contender for Wimbledon

Murray has won over three times the amount of career trophies than his counterpart in fairness, but it is the above events that players will be remembered for throughout history.

Wawrinka’s rise in the game has certainly been a remarkable one, especially so late in his career. The 30-year-old had never even reached a Grand Slam final before his success Down Under last year, and in his eight years as a professional prior to 2013, had only made it to two quarters.

But the year 2013 was certainly a turning point for Wawrinka, who was always in compatriot Federer’s shadow until recently, when he hired former French Open finalist Magnus Norman, of Sweden, as his coach.

Since being appointed in April of that year, the Swede has guided Wawrinka to at least the quarter-finals in seven of their nine Grand Slams working together, compared to just two in his previous 32.

Following his four-set triumph over Djokovic at the French Open, Wawrinka said on his star coach: “We had a good talk with Magnus before the final. I was feeling really relaxed until maybe 15 minutes before going on to the court. Then I start to be really nervous and I start to tell myself, What is happening?

“I had a good talk [with Norman]. He’s always confident with myself. He always finds good words to make me believe in myself and to go on the courts knowing and believing that I can beat the number one player in a Grand Slam final.”

So, although form and his average record at Wimbledon (he has only reached the quarters at SW19 once) may suggest he has no chance, don’t back against Wawrinka to shock once again and potentially put himself within once tournament of achieving the career Slam.

One thing for sure is that his on-court presence will now be enough to scare all opponents and, with Wawrinka’s one-handed backhand (arguably the best in the game) also a weapon, he should be regarded as a real threat on grass.