Swiss veteran Wawrinka bids emotional farewell at US Open after late wildcard
Stan Wawrinka received a heartfelt ovation from the crowd at Flushing Meadows after losing to Matteo Berrettini in straight sets, marking his final Grand Slam appearance. The 41-year-old, who won the US Open in 2016, was granted a last-minute wildcard after another player withdrew. Wawrinka expressed gratitude for the chance to finish his major career at a venue where he had celebrated a title a decade earlier.
Wawrinka's three Grand Slam titles came during an era dominated by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, making his achievements particularly notable. He was initially passed over for a wildcard and had already left New York, but learned of the opportunity while in the Swiss mountains and quickly returned. The match took place on the 8,000-capacity Grandstand court, where fans queued early to witness the occasion. Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, overcame Wawrinka's set-point chances in the first two sets before dominating the third. Tournament chief executive Craig Tiley presented Wawrinka with a photo montage of his 2016 US Open victory.
This farewell could resonate beyond tennis fans, as Wawrinka's late-career send-off may inspire discussions about how athletes conclude their careers with dignity. His emotional reception suggests that sporting legacies are measured not only by titles but by the connection players build with audiences over decades. Younger players may see the value of perseverance, while fans of the sport could feel a sense of closure witnessing a respected competitor exit on his own terms.