Big surprises in store in 2012 in ATP circuit: Wawrinka

Chennai: World Number 17 and Chennai Open defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka on Saturday said the young guns in world tennis are out to spring a lot of surprises in the 2012 season.

Addressing a press meet after the draw ceremony of the Chennai Open here on Saturday, the Beijing Olympics doubles gold medalist spoke of the challenges presented by the youngsters in the ATP circuit. "That is the beauty of tennis as the Number 50 can beat the Number 2 and Number 20 can beat the Number 1. So it is nice for the people and good as we have lot of challenges on courts. There is perhaps an exception that the top four players have been there for many years and win Grand Slams more often," he said. He said the race is always between players ranked five to 20 and this year players have been moving a lot. "That is nice and is a big challenge because you know you can be there. Since you find young players always coming up in tournament after tournament, it is going to be the same this year or even more. You can see some big surprises this year the ATP Circuit," he said. Wawrinka, who is on the lookout for a coach, said he expects something different with his next coach. About playing on different surfaces, Wawrinka said he has been able to play on various surfaces for the last three years which is good, as he could change his schedule accordingly. "I can play some good matches on hard courts and indoors also. That is a big challenge and it is good for me." On his vision for 2012, he said it would be a long and tough year, a reason why it is important to make one`s schedule work. "I can be in better place in the ranking and back in top 10 and top 20 is strong enough and it is really tough to be there. Anyway I will try my best. As I said before,this is the Olympic year and it`s important for me to play for Switzerland." "I have been playing well. But matches in beginning of the season will always be tough. My plan is to win the first two matches and then take it forward. It is never easy to come back after one month off. I have seen the draw here and I would like to focus on my game to win the first match and then take it match after match," he said. PTI