World No 232 training with Dominic Thiem

Stan Wawrinka has a career high ranking of world No 3, but due to his injury struggles and the two surgeries he underwent last year on his foot he has since fallen to world No 232.

However, the Swiss player is now seriously training for his comeback which is expected to play at the Marbella Challenger which started yesterday.

He’s been training with other player who’s been side lined since August last year due to a wrist injury – Dominic Thiem – who was due to return at the end of 2021 for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and play in major tournaments this season such as the Australian Open, Indian Wells Masters and on going Miami Open but he opted out of them for recovery purposes.

Marbella ?????#nofilter #crazysky #practice #hardwork #enjoy #stepbystep
? @danielvallverdu pic.twitter.com/NcDCcWaCkT

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) March 24, 2022

Wawrinka is happy with the level he’s at after assessing his standard while training with Theim in Marbella.

“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 best and win matches – I’m not where I want to be in terms of fitness yet but my body allows me to push 3 – 4 hour training days,” the 37-year-old explained to 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.”

Wawrinka is due to play Elias Ymer from Sweden today after being awarded a wildcard for the Marbella-based tournament.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Thiem is set to play Argentinian Pedro Cachin later today at the Marbella Challenger.