Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka says not everything needs to be about results as the former world No. 3 highlights he still feels competitive and has passion for the game.

Wawrinka, who turned 39 in March, has 16 titles in his collection and for many years he was among the best players in the game and a legitimate Grand Slam contender. But the last several years haven’t been easy for Wawrinka, who hasn’t won a title on the main level since 2017 and he is also now ranked at No. 87 in the world.

When it became apparent that Wawrinka was past his prime and no longer the player he once was, some fans started wondering and questioning why the Swiss was still around. But Wawrinka – who is just 2-7 on the main level this year – remained unfazed and kept going despite the comments and opinions suggesting that he should stop.

Wawrinka on why he keeps going

In an interview with Express-Sport, Wawrinka said continuing to play helps “keep mentally feeling young” since he enjoys his job.

“I’ve been on tour for 20 years and of course when I get to 39 years old and I’m 80 in the world, for sure people will ask me the question and I have no problem with that,” Wawrinka added.

“It’s just the way I want to answer it and the way I want to prove that I still want to be there. At the end of the day, I decide what I’m going to do with my tennis career. And as much as I enjoy what I’m doing, I’m passionate about that, I still feel competitive to play some big matches and to win some good matches, I want to keep going because it’s a chance to be still playing at that level.”

Then, Wawrinka explained that for him some things are bigger than the actual results.

“And I think it’s also a good example for the young kids, you want to show them that it’s not because you get older that the passion has to disappear,” Wawrinka said.