Stan Wawrinka bid farewell to professional tennis on 28 October 2026 at the Swiss Indoors Basel, the tournament he called home, after losing to eighth seed Jiri Lehecka at the ATP 500 event. The 41-year-old Swiss legend exits the sport with three Grand Slam titles, 16 ATP tour-level crowns, and 590 match wins at the tour level.

A Career Built on Grand Slam Upsets

What set Wawrinka apart was a rare ability to topple the very best on the sport's biggest stages. He claimed each of his three Slam titles by defeating the reigning World No. 1 in the final — a feat unmatched in his generation. His maiden major came at the 2014 Australian Open, where he outlasted Rafael Nadal in the title match. He followed that with back-to-back Slam glory at Roland Garros 2015 and the US Open 2016, beating Novak Djokovic in both deciders.

Competing in the Shadow of the Big Three

Wawrinka's entire career unfolded during the dominant era of Roger Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic — a period that made even reaching a Slam final an extraordinary achievement for anyone outside that trio. Despite that, he climbed to a career-high No. 3 in the ATP Rankings in 2014. That same year, he claimed his lone ATP Masters 1000 title at Monte-Carlo, defeating compatriot Federer in the final — a victory that underlined his willingness to take on anyone on any surface.

Olympic Gold and Davis Cup Glory

Wawrinka's contributions to Swiss tennis extended well beyond the individual tour. He and Federer partnered to win the men's doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The pair also combined to deliver Switzerland its first-ever Davis Cup title in 2014, cementing a legacy that transcended personal accolades.

Wawrinka's Farewell in His Own Words

Reflecting on two decades of competition, Wawrinka said legacy was never his primary concern. 'It's not up to me. There are different visions of me as a player over the past 20 years,' he said. 'For me, all I wanted in my career was to give everything, to have no regrets, to always fight, to always give 100 per cent in every match — out of respect for myself, for the opponent, for the tournament, for the fans, for everybody.'

He added: 'That was always the most important thing for more than 20 years, and that's the only way you can leave the sport: without any regrets.'

What Wawrinka Leaves Behind

Known for his technically exquisite one-handed backhand — widely regarded as one of the finest in the history of the game — Wawrinka retires as a player who defied the era's hierarchy when it mattered most. His record of winning Slams against No. 1-ranked opponents in three separate finals remains a singular achievement in the Open Era. Swiss tennis, which has long been shaped by Federer's shadow, now says goodbye to the man who gave it a second face.