Stan Wawrinka has been on the sidelines for much of the 2021 season due to an on-going foot injury. His last match was back in March where he fell to Lloyd Harris in three sets at Doha's ATP 250 event. The three-time major winner misses the game and although he remains off the court, he's been working on something special called the"Ballman Project."
“Hey guys. I’ve been injured for nine months, not playing tennis, and I miss it a lot," Wawrinka said in a promotional video on Instagram. "And I’m happy to announce the Ballman Project. Are you ready?”
Wawrinka has officially joined other professional tennis players such as, Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka in the NFT world. The Swiss' NFT collection appears to be tennis balls that have a strong connection with his most memorable on-court moments and victories over his colorfully-decorated career.
However his first digital collection is much more than this. The "Ballman Project" offers fans and crypto enthusiasts an entire experience with what will be called the NFT Open. The tournament will span over several months and will reward the top collectors with 240 Ether (ETH).
The project aims to give buyers a lively and exciting experience by incorporating rankings and a chance to walk away with earnings.
"Stan, who is a friend, wanted to launch NFTs, we thought about it and we released a project that we really like" President of BravoLoto Prosper Masquelier said.
“A large part of the income collected with NFTs will be redistributed to buyers, the biggest collectors will leave with earnings each month. 80% of the royalties generated by the exchange of balls will go to collectors. Every month, a ranking of the owners of the balls will be published and will reward the best of them."
Two winners of the first tournament will be decided on Sunday, and both will walk away with one Stan the Man NFT, a signed racquet and tennis ball. All participants have to do is join the discord, follow the Ballman Projecton Instagram and like his post. Many other games will surely be on the way.
Wawrinka still hasn't provided an update on when he expects to make his return to the tour.