Stan Wawrinka was quick to shut down the claim that he is playing Challengers to earn some money as the three-time Grand Slam champion suggests everybody knows there is not too much money to be made there.
Wawrinka, who celebrated his 40th birthday in March, is only 2-10 on the main level this year and he is currently ranked at No. 149 in the world. After not being awarded wildcards into either Wimbledon or the US Open, the Swiss appeared at the ATP events in Gstaad and Umag, but has since switched to the Challenger Tour. This week, the 40-year-old is playing at the Rennes Challenger, where he defeated Kenny de Schepper 6-4 6-4.
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Reacting to the former world No. 3's opening Rennes Challenger win, one person suggested that the Swiss may be in some kind of debut: "He either loves tennis like no other or has insane debt." The 16-time ATP champion noticed it and responded: "Not sure challenger prize money can pay any debt."
Wawrinka candidly addressed his future in the spring
After being bounced in straight sets by Jacob Fearnley in the French Open first round, Wawrinka was asked about his future. And he openly admitted that it wasn't getting any easier and that the end of his tennis career was nearing.
"I am here in front of you after losing first round of the French Open, but yeah I am of course close to the end. Im not stopping right now, thats for sure. Im getting closer each week thats for sure. In general, I think I still play some good tennis, move well, I still enjoy it. Although, those losses are getting more difficult to swallow," the three-time Grand Slam winner said at the time.
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Meanwhile, Wawrinka plays against Dan Added in the Rennes round-of-16.
