Stan Wawrinka ended his professional tennis career on the central court at the ATP 500 tournament in Basel, drawing praise from across the sport, including a heartfelt video tribute from compatriot Roger Federer broadcast by Swiss television channel SRF Sport. While Federer could not attend the tournament in person, the 20-time Grand Slam champion delivered a personal farewell message celebrating Wawrinka’s achievements, their shared history representing Switzerland, and a bond forged on the ATP Tour.
Basel Central Court Farewell for Stan Wawrinka
Playing his final professional tournament in front of home fans in Basel, Wawrinka closed a career that established him alongside the sport’s elite. The Lausanne native captured three Grand Slam singles titles—the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open, and the 2016 US Open—breaking through the monopoly of the Big Four.
Roger Federer leads touching tributes towards Stan Wawrinka after tennis career comes to an endhttps://t.co/TOfmEC4mIf
Two Decades of Shared Glory for Switzerland
Federer’s tribute centered on the foundational moments the two players shared while competing under the Swiss flag. In 2008, Federer and Wawrinka teamed up to capture the men’s doubles gold medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Six years later, in 2014, they contributed to the first Davis Cup title for their country, claimed by defeating France in the final in Lille.
“Querido Stan, quiero felicitarte de todo corazón por tu increíble carrera,” Federer said in his recorded message shared by Punto de Break. “Es increíble todo lo que has conseguido. Fue maravilloso poder vivir tantas cosas juntos, ya fuera la Copa Davis en Lille o los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín.”
From Older Brother Figure to Tour Rivals
Beyond institutional titles, the relationship between the two Swiss stars dates back to Wawrinka’s early years on the professional circuit. As Wawrinka worked to establish himself among the elite, Federer acted as a mentor, offering guidance both on and off the court. Wawrinka acknowledged in 2022 that his compatriot had treated him like an older brother, helping him navigate the pressures of professional tennis.
In his video message, Federer also recognized the behind-the-scenes personnel who guided Wawrinka through his career milestones, specifically thanking veteran Swiss fitness trainer Pierre Paganini, alongside Wawrinka’s parents, family members, and technical coaching staff.
Closing Words from Basel to Lausanne
As the tribute neared its conclusion, Federer switched to French to deliver a direct, personal farewell to his longtime friend.
“Pienso en ti. Te echo de menos. Te quiero, amigo mío. Disfruta del momento y nos vemos pronto,” Federer concluded.
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