Stan Wawrinka ended his professional tennis career in Basel

Stan Wawrinka ended his professional tennis career on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, dropping a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) decision to Czech opponent Jiri Lehecka in the opening round of the ATP 500 de Bâle tournament.

Ranked 151st in the world at the time of his final match, the 41-year-old Lausanne native walked off the court. His departure follows similar retirements from fellow veterans Kei Nishikori and Gaël Monfils, marking a transitional phase for a generation of players who shaped the ATP Tour over the last two decades.

Defeat to Jiri Lehecka at the Basel ATP 500

Facing the 21st-ranked Lehecka at Basel, Wawrinka competed closely in both sets before yielding in a second-set tiebreak. The straight-sets defeat—7-5, 7-6 (7/2)—terminated his run at the ATP 500 event, where tournament organizers had honored him with a special ceremony on Monday attended by former world number one Martina Hingis.

For his final season on tour, Wawrinka reached the third round of the Australian Open in January and briefly re-entered the top 100 rankings during the winter. Since turning 40 in March 2025, he secured 12 victories on the main circuit, setting a longevity mark for players over 40 since the establishment of the ATP Tour in 1990.

Grand Chelem Success Against the Big Four

Turning professional in 2002, Wawrinka accumulated 16 singles titles on the ATP Tour. He claimed three Grand Chelem trophies: the Australian Open in 2014, Roland-Garros in 2015, and the US Open in 2016. In 2014, he also captured his lone Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo.

Alongside British former world number one Andy Murray, Wawrinka served as one of the few players to repeatedly break the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic at major championships. Records show he stands as one of only three players to defeat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray at Grand Slam tournaments. Beyond his singles triumphs, Wawrinka partnered with Federer to win an Olympic gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Games and helped Switzerland capture the Davis Cup in 2014.

Wawrinka Battled Knee and Foot Injuries After Geneva Title

Wawrinka’s career path shifted following his last ATP singles title in Geneva in 2017. He subsequently battled major physical setbacks, undergoing two operations on his left knee and two on his left foot.

Reflecting on his era in a 2024 interview with Agence France-Presse, Wawrinka noted his fortune in sharing the courts with his legendary contemporaries. J’ai eu la chance de pouvoir les côtoyer, les jouer, et les battre de temps en temps, he said, acknowledging the competitive rivalry that defined his peak years on the international circuit.

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