Stan Wawrinka brought his Grand Slam career to an emotional close on Monday evening at the U.S. Open in New York, falling in a first-round battle against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini by a score of 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3), 6-0. Playing at 41 years old inside the Grandstand at Flushing Meadows, the three-time major champion received a standing ovation from roughly 8,000 spectators who watched him bid farewell to the major stage ten years after his 2016 triumph in New York.
A Final Battle on the Grandstand Stage
The parting clash lasted two hours and 15 minutes, echoing the margins of their marathon four-hour encounter at Wimbledon earlier in the season. Wawrinka fought through the opening two sets, even holding a service game to pull level in the second before Berrettini capitalized on critical break opportunities. The Italian seized both tiebreaks—marking the fifth tiebreak he had won against the veteran Swiss—before pulling away in the third set. Rather than rushing off the court, Berrettini declined a traditional on-court celebration to yield the spotlight entirely to his opponent. “Es encantador compartir la pista con esta leyenda del deporte,” Berrettini told the crowd afterward, noting he watched Wawrinka win Grand Slam titles as a child.
An Unexpected Last Dance in New York
Wawrinka’s farewell appearance in the United States was far from guaranteed. Tournament organizers initially had not invited the former world No. 3, prompting the veteran to publish a goodbye message to fans. However, an opening created by the withdrawal of American player Patrick Kypson allowed tournament officials to grant Wawrinka a wildcard entry. Reflecting on his journey, Wawrinka recalled arriving in New York more than two decades ago to play in the qualifying rounds. “Aquí encontré la manera de jugar mi mejor tenis. Siempre fue especial,” Wawrinka said with a breaking voice. “Una de las razones por las que seguí jugando hasta los 41 fue para vivir momentos como el que ustedes nos regalaron esta noche.”
Looking Back at a Major Legacy
Wawrinka exits the Grand Slam arena celebrated for his one-handed backhand. Operating during an era marked by the hegemony of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, Wawrinka carved out a resume highlighted by three major trophies: the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open, and the 2016 U.S. Open, where he defeated Djokovic in the final. Across the 2026 major calendar, he reached the third round in Melbourne before exiting in the opening rounds at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Next Steps and Farewell Tour
With his Grand Slam chapter officially closed, Wawrinka intends to play out the remainder of the season on the circuit before retiring at the end of the year. Looking beyond the autumn tournaments, the Swiss star has already scheduled a farewell gala in Geneva on December 19, where he will be in the company of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and France’s Gaël Monfils.
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