Stan Wawrinka
A Swiss tennis powerhouse whose thunderous single-handed backhand and mental fortitude broke through the Big Four's dominance to claim three major titles.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Swiss tennis player·Birthday: March 28·Millennials
Biography
For years, Stan Wawrinka operated in the long shadow of his more decorated compatriot, Roger Federer. But with the phrase 'Stan the Man' tattooed on his arm and a belief that crystallized in his late twenties, he engineered one of the sport's great late-career surges. His breakthrough was seismic: at the 2014 Australian Open, he defeated both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win his first Grand Slam, announcing he was no longer just a supporting actor. He followed with a French Open title in 2015, overpowering Djokovic in a final of brutal force, and a US Open win in 2016. Wawrinka's game was built around a devastatingly powerful one-handed backhand, a shot that became his signature weapon in dismantling the game's best. His journey from a talented but inconsistent player to a three-time major champion is a testament to relentless self-belief.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Stan was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Stan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Stan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open (2014), French Open (2015), and US Open (2016), defeating the world No. 1 in each final.
- Won an Olympic gold medal in men's doubles with Roger Federer at the 2008 Beijing Games.
- Played a crucial role in Switzerland's first and only Davis Cup victory in 2014.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 3 in 2014.
Did You Know?
His tattoo 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.' is a quote from Samuel Beckett.
He was a talented skier as a child and considered pursuing it professionally before focusing on tennis.
He and Roger Federer are the only Swiss men to have won Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era.
He uses the same model of tennis racket, the Yonex VCORE, that he has played with for many years, rarely changing equipment.
“I always dreamt of winning a Grand Slam. I always dreamt of being the best player.”
