Hugo Gaston had a classy message for Stan Wawrinka after beating the three-time Grand Slam champion in the Rennes Challenger final as the 24-year-old Frenchman said it would be great if he could have the Swiss' fitness at 40.
Although Gaston is 24 and all but a new face on the Tour, he was 16 years younger than his Rennes final opponent. And the Frenchman looked fresher that day, overcoming the former world No. 3 6-4 6-4 to lift his first Challenger title of the year.
Had Wawrinka won the Rennes final, he would have made history and become the oldest Challenger winner. With the Swiss losing to Gaston, Ivo Karlovic remains the oldest player to have won a Challenger tournament.
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The 40-year-old Swiss may have failed to make history but he received a very nice tribute from his rival.
"At 40, I would like to be in shape like him," Gaston said, via Ouest-France.
Wawrinka acknowledged it was not easy to play at 40
Through the first six games of the Rennes final, not a single break point was seen. Then, Gaston earned the first break in the seventh game and that was enough for him to seal the opener. In the second set, Wawrinka fell down by an early, but managed to recover. However, the Frenchman remained unfazed and collected another break in the fifth game. Up by a set and a break, the home player just held on to his serve for the rest of the final.
"It's not good to be 40, but it's always a thrill to be on the pitch thanks to the crowd, the emotions and the support they give me," Wawrinka told the Rennes crowd.
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Wawrinka is only 2-10 in his main-level matches played this year. On the Challenger Tour, it is a completely different story as the former world No. 3 has made two finals and he is definitely competitive.
After missing out on winning Rennes, Wawrinka is back in action at this week's St. Tropez Challenger, where he plays against Justin Engel in the first round. It remains to be seen if the Swiss can make it all the way in St. Tropez this week and make history.
