Stan Wawrinka left No. 1 Court at Wimbledon on Tuesday evening visibly emotional after a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini, marking his final appearance at the Championships as he plans to retire later this year. The 41-year-old former world No. 3, currently ranked No. 109, had entered the main draw with a wild card and is a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist.
Wawrinka’s Emotional Farewell and Reflections
Wawrinka reflected on the bond he has built with fans over more than two decades, noting that their support—especially from younger spectators—has been a major reason he extended his career. He also praised the atmosphere at Wimbledon and described his meeting with Berrettini, a close friend, as a hard-fought contest he could feel proud of.
He spoke about the unique pull of Wimbledon’s setting and history, saying the tournament continues to stir the same emotions it did when he first arrived as a young player. While Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam he has not won, he said he never fixated on targeting a specific major. Wawrinka acknowledged that grass has long been the trickiest surface for his game, impacting his confidence-building. He noted that earlier in his career, the shorter grass-court schedule left fewer opportunities to find rhythm.
Even so, he believes he made the most of his chances, considering his quarterfinal runs a strong return and expressing satisfaction with his record at SW19. Assessing his final season so far, Wawrinka said the first six months have brought solid tennis and encouraging performances. He intends to remain as competitive as possible through his remaining events, keep pushing for wins, and see where the year ends.
As fans bid farewell to this tennis legend, Wawrinka leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and passion for the game, reminding everyone that the love for tennis can extend beyond victories and titles.