Wawrinka: 'My one-handed backhand is not as good as Federer's'

While Roger Federer’s one-handed backhand is very elegant and stylish, Stanislas Wawrinka’s one-handed backhand is equally effective with great power.

The Swiss player, Stan Wawrinka, admitted that being a compatriot of the legendary Roger Federer has never been easy, as he is often compared to the great "Fedex." However, ahead of his final season, Wawrinka reflects on his journey with more gratitude than pressure.

Currently, Wawrinka is competing in his fifth tournament of 2026 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and has confirmed his retirement at the end of the season. In an interview with Khaleej Times, the three-time Grand Slam champion shared that he feels lucky to have had Federer as a role model for over two decades.

"Everyone wants to know everything about Roger. We are fortunate that he played professionally for more than 20 years, so there was plenty of time to learn,"Wawrinka said. "Stan The Man" mentioned that when he started his career, Federer was at his peak, and he received a lot of advice and training opportunities alongside his senior. The pair once won the Davis Cup and Olympic gold together—milestones that stand out in their careers.

Nevertheless, the constant comparisons created significant pressure. Notably, when a reporter mentioned the opinion of many fans that Wawrinka’s one-handed backhand is better than Federer’s—one of tennis’s iconic shots—the 40-year-old player just smiled and replied briefly: "No, I don’t think so."

That humble answer somewhat reflects the respect Wawrinka has for his compatriot. Both are famous for their one-handed backhand technique, with Wawrinka unleashing very powerful and explosive shots, while Federer is often regarded as the standard for smoothness and efficiency.

At Stan Wawrinka’s opening match in the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Roger Federer was present in the audience, boosting his compatriot’s morale. "Stan The Man" had little trouble defeating Benjamin Hassan in two sets.