Stan Wawrinka is back playing tennis and will be involved in this week's challenger in Marbella alongside another injury-struck former Grand Slam winner in Dominic Thiem.
At the age of 36, he is using this as a springboard onto the clay court season having not been able to put together a sustained run for a couple of seasons and he sees small signs that he can still play towards his best.
“I see that I still have in me what it takes to be able in the future if things go well in the other areas (physical and tennis), to hang on against the best and win matches – I’m not where I want to be in terms of fitness yet, but my body allows me to push three-four hour training days,” he told Le Matin.
“There with Thiem, it was two hours of high intensity and the level was there, now we will have to do it in matches, repeat it day after day – this is the goal for the next few weeks, see how the foot reacts in competition, as emotions cause the body to behave differently.
“He tenses more, my foot is doing well overall. Zero pain? It doesn’t exist especially at my age, but I can chain the days without these pains that wear mentally.
“I’m happy to be here, it’s a small success but already a real one. I will be able to answer this question better this summer, this is where I will really see where I am.”
Comeback time: Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem in their practice match at the Marbella Challenger getting ready for Tuesday's singles matches
Last point of the first set between #Wawrinka and #Thiem today. Stan won this practice match 7/6 5/4 (with the break) @AndaluciaOpen
