Stan Wawrinka is preparing for his 21st and final Roland Garros, closing a chapter that has defined much of his career. The Swiss star, a former world No. 3, captured the French Open title in 2015 and returns to Paris at 41 with a deep well of memories from the clay where he achieved some of his greatest results.
Wawrinka’s Journey at Roland Garros
Looking back, Wawrinka points to the 2015 final as the defining moment of his Paris story, when he defeated the world’s top-ranked player at the time to lift the trophy. He reached the championship match again in 2017, finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal, the tournament’s record 14-time winner. His overall record at Roland Garros stands at 46 wins and 19 losses, showcasing his impressive performance on this prestigious stage.
Wawrinka announced in December that the 2026 season would be his last on tour, framing this final stretch as the closing pages of a long career. He describes the unique pull of match days at majors—especially the surge of energy from packed crowds—as the part of professional tennis he expects to miss most.
A 16-time tour-level champion with three major titles, Wawrinka climbed to a career-high No. 3 in 2014 and built a reputation around one of the sport’s most feared one-handed backhands. He says he is proud of what he has done in tennis and is eager to enjoy life beyond the court, while still believing he can produce strong results over the remaining months if his body allows.
His opening-round assignment in Paris has changed: originally slated to face 17th seed Arthur Fils, Wawrinka will instead meet lucky loser Jesper de Jong after the Frenchman withdrew with an injury. It will be their first meeting, adding another layer of excitement to his final appearance.
As he returns to Roland Garros one last time, Wawrinka embraces both the difficulty and the joy of the occasion, intent on making the most of a tournament that has shaped his career. With his remarkable journey coming to an end, fans and fellow players alike will be eager to witness the magic he brings to the court one final time.