Tickets for the farewell match of Stanislas Wawrinka in Geneva sold out in just three hours, with operations for the December 19 event managed by Chilean business engineer and former tennis player Carlos Cuevas, ADN Radio reported.
Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who won the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 Roland Garros, and 2016 US Open, announced his retirement from professional tennis at age 41. The Swiss star will headline a special exhibition schedule at the end of the year featuring a singles match against Frenchman Gaël Monfils followed by a doubles appearance alongside fellow legends Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
From South American Futures to Swiss Event Management
Before stepping into international sports management, Carlos Cuevas graduated with a business engineering degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He briefly competed on the Futures circuit and trained within Martín Rodríguez’s academy alongside players such as Nicolás Jarry, Gonzalo Lama, José Hernández, and Emilio Gómez. Reflecting on his transition, Cuevas told ADN Deportes that he realized early on he wasn’t very good
at the professional level, prompting a shift toward the corporate world in Chile while maintaining grassroots ties to the sport.
Cuevas helped run a university-backed foundation that introduced underprivileged children to athletics and briefly assisted Nicolás Jarry with commercial matters. Seeking a larger sports market, he relocated to Europe in 2023 after enrolling in a sports business master’s degree program administered by the International Olympic Committee. During his studies, he used networking opportunities to secure a position with Sport Spirit, a Swiss agency co-owned by Yannick Fattebert, who served as Wawrinka's coach for seven years.
Inside the Organization of Wawrinka’s Geneva Farewell
Sport Spirit initially approached Wawrinka about a farewell project more than a year before the announcement. When the three-time major winner decided the time was right, he contacted the agency to initiate planning. Cuevas serves as the general manager for the event, working alongside directors Fattebert and Benjamin Dracos while coordinating with external vendors and an internal support staff.
Unlike standard commercial exhibitions where retiring athletes attend merely as invited guests, Wawrinka maintains an intensely hands-on role. According to Cuevas, the Swiss player participates in weekly strategic sessions and daily communications covering both macro-level production and minor logistical details. Initial ticket inventory for the December 19 showcase vanished within three hours, prompting organizers to schedule an additional ticket release on October 30.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wawrinka’s Farewell
When and where is Stanislas Wawrinka playing his farewell match? Wawrinka’s retirement event is scheduled for December 19 in Geneva, Switzerland, following his announcement earlier this year.
Who are Wawrinka’s opponents and partners for the event? Wawrinka will face Frenchman Gaël Monfils in a singles match and team up with Andy Murray and Roger Federer for a doubles exhibition.
Are tickets still available for the Geneva exhibition? Initial tickets sold out in three hours, but organizers arranged a remaining ticket release that became available on October 30.
Geneva Exhibition Tickets Go on Sale October 30
The remaining ticket inventory for the Geneva exhibition opens for purchase on October 30, preceding the December 19 event date. Organizers continue final preparations ahead of the single-day retirement celebration featuring Wawrinka, Monfils, Murray, and Federer.
