Reigning Australian Open and defending Aircel Chennai Open champion Stan Wawrinka is likely to return to Chennai for the 2015 edition which will be held from January 5 to 11. It will be the 29-year-old Swiss’s seventh consecutive visit to the city.
The world No. 4 has always maintained that Chennai’s ‘not-too-hot but humid’ weather in January and its proximity to Australia suits his preparation for the first Grand Slam for the year and it has been reliably learnt that he does not wish to change course for the coming season.
Following up on his excellent performance in 2013, which saw him make his first-ever visits to the US Open semifinals and the elite year-ending ATP World Tour, and compile a 51-23 record, including eight wins over the top-10, the past year has seen Wawrinka scale new heights.
He picked up his maiden Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne and reached a career-high No.3 in rankings, upstaging even his more illustrious compatriot Roger Federer.
With the 2015 edition set to mark 20 years since the tournament first came to India, a host of festivities are being planned. Wawrinka’s possible return, in light of his popularity with the fans here, is sure to be the icing on the cake.