Stanislas Wawrinka is looking ahead to the clay season following a poor run on the hard-court Masters events. The world No. 8 fell in the second round at Indian Wells, and the third round at Miami, winning just one match at the two tournaments.
"I had a bad match, a very bad set of tournaments," he said following his defeat at Miami to Adrian Mannarino. "I never succeeded in finding my level.
"Also in practice, it wasn't good. I don't know if it was me, the balls or the conditions, but I couldn't find my level."
Wawrinka otherwise had a good start to the season, winning the title in Chennai, reaching the Australian Open semifinals and winning Rotterdam. He will look to return to form on clay, traditionally one of his favorite surfaces.
"The clay comes, with other balls, other conditions, with the tournaments in Europe I like," said the 30-year-old, who will be defending his title in Monte Carlo. "It's disappointing to have such a period following a good start to the season, but it's only one part of the season."
Wawrinka is 15-3 this season, with five tournaments played.