Stan Wawrinka’s final appearance at a Grand Slam ended Monday at the US Open, where the Swiss veteran — a three-time major champion — lost in the first round and confirmed he will retire later this season at age 41.
- Stan Wawrinka lost his final US Open match to Matteo Berrettini and will retire at age 41 after the Swiss Indoors in October 2026.
- Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles (2014–2016), including Finals victories over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and is remembered for interrupting the dominance of the sport's "Big Three."
- The USTA granted Wawrinka a late wild card for the US Open after an American player withdrew; the tournament held a post-match ceremony to honor him.
What happened in New York
Wawrinka was defeated by Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, in a match played on Grandstand court. After the loss he embraced Berrettini, acknowledged the crowd and delivered an emotional farewell in which he said, “I’m gonna miss it for sure,” his voice breaking as he reflected on ending his career.
The USTA staged a post-match ceremony for Wawrinka, and fans remained in their seats to honor him. The match and the ceremony were framed as a significant moment in men’s tennis because of what Wawrinka achieved during his career — most notably three Grand Slam titles won between 2014 and 2016.
Career highlights and why he mattered
Wawrinka’s three major victories — the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open — included headline-making wins over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Those victories are widely viewed as the moments that allowed another name to break into an era dominated by a small group of elite players often called the “Big Three.”
During his peak years, Wawrinka was one of Djokovic’s most troublesome opponents in majors, including multiple victories over Djokovic in Grand Slam finals. The US Open send-off underscored how those accomplishments have secured a lasting place for Wawrinka in modern tennis history.
How the final US Open appearance came together
Wawrinka entered the tournament on a short-term wild card. The USTA had originally allocated the slot elsewhere, following usual Grand Slam practice of favoring host-country players and reciprocal arrangements with other Grand Slams, but granted Wawrinka a late wild card after an American player withdrew. Wawrinka had said the opportunity to play one more time in New York was important to him.
End of an era in context
Wawrinka’s retirement was presented alongside other high-profile farewells in men’s tennis this season. Observers have noted a broader sense of endings: Novak Djokovic experienced an early exit at the same tournament, Rafael Nadal has documented his final year amid injuries, and Roger Federer was recently inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The season’s retirements and exits have prompted discussion about a transition away from the era dominated by that small group of stars.
What Wawrinka said and what remains to be decided
Wawrinka told the crowd after his match that he will continue playing until October, when he plans to finish his professional career at the Swiss Indoors. He framed his choice as an effort to end on his own terms and “finish in the best way possible.” He also described his love for competing and how much playing again at the US Open meant to him.
He has not announced other post-retirement plans in the material provided.
Practical implications and legacy
- For U.S. tennis fans and the tournament, Wawrinka’s appearance delivered a nostalgic, well-attended moment on Grandstand that organizers and supporters embraced.
- Wawrinka’s three major titles and his victories over Djokovic and Nadal remain the defining facts of his legacy and are central to how tennis followers will remember his career.
- His retirement contributes to a broader transition in men’s tennis this season, with several high-profile veterans leaving the tour.
Timeline (selected)
- 2014–2016: Wawrinka wins three Grand Slam titles, including victories over Djokovic and Nadal in finals.
- August 31/September 1, 2026: Wawrinka loses in the first round of the US Open to Matteo Berrettini and delivers an emotional farewell; USTA holds a post-match ceremony.
- October 2026: Wawrinka plans to play his final professional tournament at the Swiss Indoors in Switzerland.
Unresolved points and attribution
Details in this article are drawn from reporting by Dan Wolken published on Yahoo Sports and republished by MSN. The scoreline, quotes attributed to Wawrinka, the timing of his planned final event (the Swiss Indoors in October) and the description of the USTA ceremony are reported by that coverage. Where reporting noted the USTA initially did not allocate a wild card to Wawrinka, that characterization and the quoted explanation attributed to USTA officials are taken from the same reporting.
What remains unclear from the available reporting: Wawrinka’s detailed plans after retirement beyond finishing his playing career in October, and any formal statements from the USTA beyond the accounts in the cited coverage.
