However, the three-time Grand Slam champion was unable to beat Sonego, who reached the quarter-finals.

Despite being 39-years-old, Wawrinka is still competing on the ATP Tour and will return to action in Montpellier.

Stan Wawrinka explains why he was bothered by ‘the big four’

Wawrinka saw Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retire last year, and his compatriot Roger Federer said farewell to tennis a couple of years prior.

However, the world number 154 continues to compete and was a special guest on a recent edition of the Nothing Major Podcast.

During this episode, Wawrinka was asked about whether he was bothered about not being named as part of ‘the big four’ that included Novak Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray.

Wawrinka admitted that the conversation did frustrate him, but not for the reason that many would expect.

“No, it is the opposite,” said Wawrinka. “I got bothered when they called it the big five or things like that or they put me close to Andy Murray, just because he had three Grand Slams and I won three Grand Slams. But he has like 45 Masters 1000 and has been in the top 10 for 20 years and top five the same.

For me, I am completely away from them. I am miles away from what they achieved. I think it’s a little bit disrespectful for them and especially for Andy because that’s the talk that came.

“I am happy with what I achieved. I achieved way more than I could dream in my career but I also know as a fact that my career is my career and I am so far away from what they have been doing. I enjoy playing against them and watching them too. I get bothered when they try and approach my career to their career.”

Stan Wawrinka’s Career Achievements in comparison to Andy Murray

One of the last matches of the Murray’s career was against Wawrinka at Roland Garros, with the Swiss getting the win.

Wawrinka has three major titles to his name, having won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, while Murray won two Wimbledon titles and one US Open.

However, Murray reached the summit of the ATP rankings, with Wawrinka only managing a career-high of world number three.

Murray has the greater number of accolades and also a slight advantage in the head-to-head with Wawrinka (13-10), that includes winning the final title of his career in Antwerp.

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