Wawrinka Ready to Come of Age at the Capitala World Tennis Championship

24 Dec, 2009

Swiss number two looking to return to his best form beginning with the star-studded Abu Dhabi event

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Stanislas Wawrinka, the young star who is set to take on the world's best players at the Capitala World Tennis Championship next week, knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life from an early age.

The Swiss-born Wawrinka decided to focus on living the dream of becoming an international tennis player from the age of 15 and has not looked back since.

"It was the natural line for me, the right path to follow with my tennis," he says about the decision to dedicate his life to the game he loves and had been playing since the age of eight.

Wawrinka racked up an impressive junior career winning the 2003 French Open junior title. He has continued to grow in stature over the years and his best season came last year where he achieved a long list of milestones and accomplishments including reaching the top 10 in the ATP rankings with a career high ranking of nine.

In 2008 the Swiss number two also reached two ATP finals and won a doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics along with fellow countryman and world number one Roger Federer.

"I have had some great results against some of the best players on Tour and I have worked hard to prepare for a great year beginning in Abu Dhabi," said the 24-year-old Wawrinka, who is competing in the capital for the first time.

"I really enjoy playing in the Middle East and I'm very much looking forward to this tournament. It's a fantastic line-up and I'm proud to be a part of what will be another great tournament."

Wawrinka will shape up against Robin Söderling on day one of the tournament, a player he has overcome before. The two have met twice previously with the series tied 1-1. They last met in the second round of the 2008 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, but it was Söderling who came away with the honours (3-6, 6-4, 6-3).

If Wawrinka defeats Söderling, he will advance through to the semi-finals where the world's top player in Federer will be waiting for him.

"Roger and I have a great relationship and I respect him for what he has accomplished. We have played against each other since we were very young and I always enjoy competing against him," Wawrinka said.

Tickets for Day 1 of the event, which takes place from 31 December, 2009 – 2 January, 2010 at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City, are still available. Priced at just AED 65, they can be purchased through www.boxofficeme.com or at selected Spinney's outlets.