Nadal hails Wawrinka as ‘super dangerous’

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their 2016 US Open Men’s Singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD

Rafael Nadal described Tuesday Stan Wawrinka as “super dangerous” after he clinched the US Open championship to claim his third Grand Slam title.

Fifth-ranked Nadal said the 31-year-old from Switzerland was capable of matching any of the top players on the world circuit after taking the title on Sunday in New York.

“Stan is a player that over the last couple of years has been playing great tennis. When he is playing well he is able to play very well against all opponents,” Nadal told reporters in New Delhi before a Spain-India Davis Cup clash.

Nadal suffered a shock fourth-round exit from the US Open, after being forced out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year because of a wrist injury.

The 30-year-old Spanish superstar said his injury layoff was a “very negative part of the year for me” and he was “just happy to be on tour again”.

Nadal said he was focused on staying healthy so that he could keep on playing for a few more years.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion is in Delhi with the Spanish Davis Cup team for their clash against India in the world group play-off on September 16-18.

Five-time champions Spain are favorites to win their meeting against India, but Nadal said he was taking nothing for granted.

“We lost a couple of confrontations that we believed we were the favorites (for) and we were in a good position to win, so maximum respect for all opponents, for India.”