Andy Murray revenge mission launched at French Open as Brit vows to take action

Jacob Fearnley is on a Scottish revenge mission against the Swiss star who beat Andy Murray here last year. But the British No.2 admits he still gets star-struck by meeting tennis superstars.

Stan Wawrinka, now 40, knocked his fellow three-time Grand Slam winner out in the first round of Roland Garros 12 months ago. The 2015 champion also beat Murray in straight sets here in 2020.

And Fearnley, who grew up idolising his fellow Scot, said: "We can see it like a Scottish revenge mission. I remember he beat him. I couldn't remember if it was last year or not, but yeah, definitely we could see it like that. Hopefully I can get the revenge for Scotland!"

Wawrinka made his French Open debut in 2005 when Fearnley was only three. "It's pretty crazy, yeah, 3 years old. I guess I was about to turn 4. That's pretty cool, yeah," the 23-year-old said.

"I hope I will still be playing at 40. I know the game is extremely physical, so for Wawrinka to still be playing at the level he's playing at at his age is extremely admirable. Yeah, if I can have any type of longevity that he had, that would be amazing. Yeah, to still be playing at 40, playing Grand Slams is pretty incredible."

Fearnley started relatively late on the ATP Tour after spending five years playing for Texas Christian University in the USA. "I still do get starstruck," he admitted. "Definitel. Like in Rome the other day (Jannik) Sinner came and gave me a handshake, and he moves on.

"I looked at my coach like: 'Whoa, that's pretty cool'. Sinner is my age. Imagine when (Novak) Djokovic says: 'Hi', to me, it's still a little bit strange. I always smile at my coach whenever that happens, and we smile at each other because it is cool moments.

"I don't like to take those for granted because I never thought that I would get to the point where Novak would say: 'Hi' to me or even Gael Monfils or someone like that. Yeah, definitely do get a little bit starstruck. I wouldn't say I'm 100% used to it, but no, it's still really cool."

But this has not stopped Fearnley making a rapid rise up to world No.54 with some big wins in some intimidating atmospheres. He knocked home favourite Nick Kyrgios out in the first round of the Australian Open and beat Fabio Fognini at the Rome Masters earlier this month.

Wildcard Wawrinka, now ranked world No.139, is not French but he is very popular in Paris.

"I know he's a previous champion and had a lot of success here," said the Scot.

"So, yeah, it's a great match for me to play."I've played in some tough environments. Kyrgios was definitely one of them. Yeah, I know the French crowd get behind matches, and they can be pretty rowdy.

"Yeah, obviously I expect that, but I'm more just thinking about playing the match. Getting the opportunity to play Wawrinka here in Roland Garros is really special. Just trying to enjoy every moment."