Hesitant, slow Stan Wawrinka happy to progress

Stan Wawrinka admitted the pace of the courts was a problem for him, as he eased into the Wimbledon second round.

The French Open champion saw off Joao Sousa 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7-3) on centre court on Monday, in just his third match since winning at Roland Garros.

The world number four said the difference in pace switching from clay to grass was a factor against the same opponent he beat in the first round 12 months earlier.

"It's the first one and I'm happy with my game, happy with the way I played," the Swiss said.

"Winning in three sets is really good.

"It's always the same [for] the first one. You need to be ready, adapt your game a little bit, feel the conditions.

"I was a little bit slow in the reactions when he was serving. Returning, I was hesitating a lot with what I was going to do and how I was going to return. So that's where I was struggling a little bit."

Despite having as many majors as 'big four' member Andy Murray and being ranked inside the top four, Wawrinka waved away suggestions he belonged in the club.

"Personally, I really don't care," Wawrinka said.

"The big four will always be the big four and they're rightfully where they are because they did so much for tennis and they are so strong for more than 10 years.

"They deserve to be the big four and they will always be the big four. That's how I see it."