Wawrinka feels the love on Grand Slam goodbye
Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam champion, was given an emotional farewell at the US Open in what proved to be the final major match of his career before his planned retirement at the end of the season. The 41-year-old Swiss player lost in straight sets to Italy's Matteo Berrettini on the Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows, but the defeat was overshadowed by a rapturous reception from fans who packed the 8,000-capacity arena to bid him farewell.
Wawrinka had initially been overlooked for a tournament wildcard but received a late reprieve after American player Patrick Kypson withdrew, only learning the news on the Wednesday while back home in Switzerland before hastily arranging his return to New York. He held set points in both the first and second sets before Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, edged through and pulled away in the third. Visibly moved, Wawrinka made heart gestures to the crowd, hit balls into the stands as keepsakes, and received a photo montage marking his 2016 US Open title from tournament chief executive Craig Tiley, saying he was "super grateful" for the send-off.
- Stan Wawrinka lost his final Grand Slam match to Matteo Berrettini at the US Open.
- He received an emotional, warm send-off from fans at Flushing Meadows.
- The three-time major winner is retiring at the end of the season.
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Stan Wawrinka is a Swiss tennis player who has won three Grand Slam singles titles, including the US Open in 2016. Now 41, he has been playing on past the point where most professionals retire, and has said he plans to end his career at the end of this season.
His latest US Open appearance came about almost by chance: he was not originally given a place in the tournament, but was let in after another player withdrew, and had to arrange a late return to New York from Switzerland. His opponent, Matteo Berrettini of Italy, is a former Wimbledon finalist.
The match mattered less for the tennis than for what it represented: one of the last chances for fans to see a popular, long-serving champion play at one of the sport's biggest events before he steps away from the game.