“Andy Murray achieved everything a player could in tennis” – Stan Wawrinka showers praise on Brit after potential final meeting in French Open 1R

Stan Wawrinka showered praise on Andy Murray after defeating him in the first round of the men's singles draw at the 2024 French Open on Sunday, May 26. This likely was Wawrinka's last final battle with Murray on clay as the Brit approaches impending retirement.

Wawrinka dominated the Sunday showdown between the old foes right from the word go as he broke Murray's serve in the first game. He then saved two break points to remain unbroken and sealed the opening set.

The second set panned out in a similar fashion with the Swiss breaking his opponent once to win and double his lead. However, Murray was unable to create any break point opportunities in this set unlike in the first.

Wawrinka stepped up more in the third set which proved to be the last on Sunday as he converted two more break points and kept his serve unchallenged to secure a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win.

After the match, the Swiss spoke highly of Andy Murray while reflecting on the latter's career that began in 2005.

"I think Andy did everything he could since he arrived on tour. Super young, he was an amazing fighter. He always found solutions. He's one of the hardest workers on tour," Wawrinka said in his post-match presser.

He further lauded the Brit for his 2016 campaign at the French Open, where he ended second best to Novak Djokovic after having defeated Wawrinka in the semifinals.

"For more than 20 years, he always wanted to improve. He always improved his game. At the French Open, he made semifinal, went to the final, he became No. 1. He achieved everything a player could achieve in tennis," Wawrinka added.

Wawrinka's win over Murray marks his sixth over the Brit out of seven matches on clay.

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"Hopefully, Andy Murray's going to keep going a little bit" - Stan Wawrinka

Andy Murray walks out of Roland Garros. PHOTO: GETTY

In the same press conference at the 2024 French Open, Stan Wawrinka recollected memories from his on-court duels with Andy Murray and hoped for the Brit to actively compete as a professional for a bit longer.

"He's an amazing champion, amazing guy. I think he has a lot of fans, a lot of people started playing tennis because of him. I respect him a lot. I enjoyed playing him a lot the last 20 years. We played so many times, so many big battles. Hopefully, he's going to keep going a little bit," he said.

In total, Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray have played against each other 23 times thus far with the Brit leading the head-to-head tally 13-10. Notably, Wawrinka prevailed 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-4 when they clashed on tour for the first time on national duties in the 2005 Davis Cup playoffs.

At the 2024 French Open, Wawrinka now awaits the winner of the first-round fight between 32nd seed Cameron Norrie and Pavel Kotov.