Stan Wawrinka’s Remarkable Career Comes to an End

Jan 24, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against Taylor Fritz of United States in the third round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at John Cain Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imag… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Jim SmithWhen the chair umpire called game, set and match to signal the end of day one at this year’s ATP 500 event in Basel, it also signaled the end of the career of one of the truly iconic tennis players of all time, as Stan Wawrinka had played his final career point.A three-time Major champion in a career spanning over two decades, Wawrinka bid farewell to the sport of his life in his home country in front of a packed crowd, as another player from the golden generation of tennis has now retired.Stan Wawrinka’s Career Officially ClosesUnlike most of the other multiple-time Major champions of his era, Wawrinka was neither a highly touted junior nor someone who immediately found success as he entered the tour. The Swiss was a mainstay in the top 20, but coming from Switzerland, he firmly remained in the shadow of Roger Federer both on and off the court.And given the era he was playing in, with arguably the three greatest men’s tennis players of all time standing in his way, and many others competing to be the best of the rest, for a long time it felt like Wawrinka would never quite have the breakthrough that his powerful backhand and high ceiling deserved. But that all changed in 2014.Entering the Australian Open as a 28-year-old veteran and fresh off his first-ever Major semifinal appearance at the 2013 US Open, Wawrinka shocked the world when, in Melbourne, he not only took down then three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, but won the title itself by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. The breakthrough had happened, and the Swiss did not stop there.Jun 7, 2015; Paris, France; Stan Wawrinka (SUI) poses with the trophy after recording match point in his match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on day 15 of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY SportsMore memorable runs followed, and slowly he earned a reputation for being a big-match player. He added his first, and only, Masters title in Monte Carlo that very year, and then in 2015 had arguably the match of his life at the French Open, this time taking down Novak Djokovic in the final. Then, to complete his trio of Major victories, he once again defeated the Serbian in a final, this time at the US Open in 2016, to firmly etch his name in tennis history.The remarkable part in all of this was that in each and every big title that he won, he beat at least one member of the Big 3 along the way, truly earning his tournament victories and stepping up to the occasion when it counted. He was not the most consistent of players, and soon injuries failed his body as well, but for a good three years, whenever Wawrinka stepped onto a tennis court, the opponents were wary, despite some of them being the very best tennis has ever had to offer.Wawrinka Refused to Give UpShortly after making his fourth, and last, Major final at the 2017 French Open, Wawrinka’s body started to fight him. A knee issue kept him away from the tour for over six months, and when he did come back in 2018, he just was not the same player anymore. Yet his love for the sport, and for competition, saw him compete and get some memorable wins along the way for a further eight more years.Aug 8, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Stan Wawrinka (SUI) hits a shot against Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) (not pictured) during first round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports In many ways, Wawrinka was a true anomaly on tour, someone who always did have the potential to become the No. 3-ranked player he would ultimately be one day, but for most of his physical prime, a player looking up at giants rather than being considered one of them. He was never quite as good as the Big 3; heck, who really has been? And he did not have the week-to-week consistency of an Andy Murray, who was considered the biggest challenger to the Big 3 for long stretches.Yet Wawrinka, much like what was inked on his left forearm, never gave up the fight. He kept on going, improving day by day and putting himself in situations he had not been in before. And that hard work ultimately paid off in the form of three Major titles, a lifetime of memories, and a Hall of Fame jacket that will surely be waiting for him in five years. Wawrinka didn’t just break through from a potential journeyman to a multiple-time Major champion; he paved the way and showed that it is never too late to change the trajectory of your career.The Last WordAnd now, today, a career that began in 2003 has come to an end. The final few years have been tough for both Wawrinka and his fans, but the fact that he goes out having played a match in front of a home crowd, all cheering his name in unison as he goes out on his terms, and not being forced to it, will undoubtedly be the icing on the cake of what has been a remarkable career.Jun 2, 2019; Paris, France: Stan Wawrinka (SUI) hits the ball to Stefanos Tsitsipas (not pictured) on day eight of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY SportsWawrinka’s retirement also marks the end of another pillar that shaped up arguably the greatest era of tennis in the sport’s history. From his breakthrough in Melbourne to his triumphs in Paris and New York, the Swiss gave tennis fans some of the most memorable performances of his generation, all in his own distinct style.As he walks away from the sport that he gave his whole life to, Wawrinka can proudly say that he accomplished something that very few players of his generation managed to do: build a legacy entirely his own.Main Image Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images