2024 Paris Olympics, tennis: Stan Wawrinka reaches 2nd round
What's the story
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka is featuring in the Olympics after 12 years. Wawrinka, who last competed at the 2012 London Olympics, missed the 2020 Tokyo and 2016 Rio Games with injuries. The 39-year-old from Switzerland started his 2024 Paris Olympics campaign in the tennis men's singles event in style. He dispatched Pavel Kotov (Individual Neutral Athletes) 6-1, 6-1.
Olympics
2008 Beijing Olympics: Gold medal in men's doubles
Wawrinka was on fire in 2008 as he entered the top 10 (ATP Rankings) for the first time. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he paired up with Swiss maestro Roger Federer in men's doubles. The Switzerland duo beat the American brothers Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in the semi-finals. Wawrinka and Federer then beat Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson to secure the gold medal.
Campaigns
A forgettable campaign in London; absence thereafter
Wawrinka had a forgettable campaign at the 2012 London Games. He suffered a first-round exit after losing the men's singles clash to eventual champion Andy Murray. Wawrinka and Federer were also knocked out in the second round of men's doubles. Wawrinka missed the 2016 Rio Olympics due to a back injury. His absence from the Olympics also extended to the 2020 Tokyo Games.