Stan the Man Stands Tall

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka fought off World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to claim his first U.S. Open championship.

2016 U.S. Open Champion Stan Wawrinka had to earn every bit of his $3.5 million dollar prize money check in order to capture his 3rd career major title. Having endured almost 22 hours on-court during the two-week championship, saving a match point in the third round against Daniel Evans and overcoming the best player in the world in the final, Wawrinka proved that he is the current iron man of tennis. Since the beginning of 2014, Wawrinka has captured three Grand Slams and has elevated himself from underachiever to potential first ballot Hall of Famer. He has overcome Djokovic in two of the major finals, something few have been able to do in recent years. Even more impressively, he has shown he can physically and mentally outlast the world's best on the biggest stages of the sport. Possessing the world's most dominant one-handed backhand, combined with a much improved forehand and powerful serve, he has the weaponry to unsettle and beat anyone in the world. At 31, you can say it's a little late for a player's prime, but the way tennis has been evolving, 30 has become the new 20. It's not unreasonable to think that Wawrinka can keep up this current level of play for another four to five years. He credits his coach, former player Magnus Norman, with being the main difference in instilling the confidence and belief in himself and his game that he previously lacked. Wawrinka's now signature "point to the head" (pictured above) is a signal to his coach after he wins a big point during a match, which shows how far he's come mentally and the belief he has in the crucial moments. He has emerged from compatriot Roger Federer's shadow late in his career, and is certainly carving out an All-Time great career for himself. With the year's final Grand Slam in the books, it's hard to say who is the clear No. 1 heading into 2017, despite the rankings.