It took Andy Murray a long time to get his official invitation to the so called Big Four, but Murray has proved he belongs. The World No. 2 has two Olympic gold medals and three Grand Slam victories since his unofficial induction into the Big Four Club. Indeed he’s won more Slams than Roger Federer has since joining. All the while Federer’s fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka has been knocking on the club door, wondering what it takes to get in. Or at least wondering whether Murray, Federer, Rafa Nadal, and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic might agree to make it a Big Five.
[related: Wawrinka Says Murray Far More Accomplished]
Now with Murray bowing out in a tough five-set quarterfinal and Nadal exiting the same way a round earlier, Wawrinka can essentially print up his own membership in the group. Ranked No. 3 in the world, Wawrinka’s already there as the rankings have it, but the narrative has tended to leave him out of the super-elite group. But with two Slams already on his mantel, Wawrinka is just two US Open wins away from equaling Andy Murray’s total of three Grand Slams. That will win him entry to the club for sure. Seeded fifth at the Open despite his ranking, Wawrinka faces sixth seed Kei Nishikori in the semifinals. Djokovic awaits, if he passes Frenchman Gael Monfils first.
[related: Who Is Pierre Paganini — Federer’s and Wawrinka’s Fitness Coach?]
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