Stan Wawrinka says he will only contest the Australian Open if there is zero risk to his health

EXCLUSIVE SIDELINED for close to six months, Stan Wawrinka says he may still bypass the Australian Open and will only play if there is “zero risk” of jeopardising his long-term goals.

Australian Open. Stan Wawrinka practice on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Tim Carrafa

STAN Wawrinka will test his left knee in the Tie Break Tens at Melbourne Park on Wednesday night, warning he will bypass the Australian Open unless there is “zero risk” of jeopardising long-term goals.

The triple grand slam champion has been practising in Melbourne for a week and will ramp up his Open preparation in a first-to-10 points clash with Austrian Dominic Thiem on Margaret Court Arena tonight.

The Swiss enforcer revealed part of his trip to Australia was to find fitness answers.

“I basically came here to get the answer to see if I’m ready to play or if I’m not ready to play,” Wawrinka said.

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Australian Open. Stan Wawrinka practice on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“When you play a match it’s different to practice. You also add the stress, you also start to be more tight in the movement.

“So, for sure, I will play only if I have zero risk. I came here with a lot of doubt.

“I’m improving. It’s been a long time now, six months, so it’s tough to be at that level.

“I cannot do everything yet but I’m happy with the way I’m practising so far.

“I know it’s gonna take more time to be 100 per cent but as long as my knee is doing well, that’s the most important.”

Wawrinka, 32, won the Open crown in 2014 and came close again last year, falling in a five-set semi-final epic to Swiss compatriot Roger Federer.

But he has been sidelined for close to six months after deciding to have surgery following Wimbledon in July.

The right-hander is yet to play a match but hopes his outing against Thiem will provide a decent gauge of his progress.

“The goal is to come back to the level I had before,” the Australian, French and US Open winner said.

“For sure, it takes time.

“I’m not 100 per cent fit physically yet but that’s normal. That’s on the plan.

“Even after that you need to get confidence, you need to get used to play the points.

“I’m OK to take that time to get there if it’s going a bit quicker, perfect. But I’m not in a rush.

“Playing Dominic, “I think it’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be great.”

Wawrinka is among a cluster of grand slam champions to face off at the Tie Break Tens for a winner-takes-all purse of $250,000 on Margaret Court Arena.

Novak Djokovic will play Lleyton Hewitt, Lucas Pouille squares off against Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych and Nick Kyrgios do battle before Thiem and Wawrinka clash.