"For me, he was part of this Big Four era": Stan Wawrinka heaps praise on Andy Murray ahead of return after ankle injury

Switzerland’s veteran tennis star Stan Wawrinka has heaped praise on the former world number one Andy Murray for his achievements on the tennis court. The 36-year-old’s career has been marred by continued fitness concerns. Many tennis pundits believe that his fitness troubles stopped him from achieving what he was capable of.

Murray is now once again on his way back to the court after spending months on the sidelines because of an ankle injury. He is set to take part in the Challengers event in Bordeaux in France to prepare for the upcoming French Open. Another Grand Slam winner who was taking part in that event was Wawrinka.

Talking about Britain’s tennis star, the 39-year-old was full of praise for the three-time Grand Slam winner and believes that he was part of the ‘Big Four’ consisting of the likes of the current world number one Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Switzerland’s Roger Federer.

"For me, he was part of this Big Four era,” he said. “From 18 years old until 30 he was always fighting with the Big Three, he was always there. Let’s put it that way, he won ‘only’ three Slams because all the other were taking but he was always in the final, he was always winning a lot. He’s way ahead, he won many more titles than me and his level was close to the Big Three for 10 years."

Wawrinka further went on to state that he does not believe Murray is ready to call it a day because of his passion and love for the sport.

“I don’t think he will stop,” he said. “I think when he announced stopping it’s a lot because of the emotion after losing a match but I’m not sure he will stop this summer.

“I think because he’s passionate about the game and I think of course he’s in a mixed feeling; when he’s winning or losing it’s not easy with the emotion. But I think as long as he’s passionate and feels competitive, he will keep going.”