Stan Wawrinka has officially concluded his professional tennis career, playing his 985th and final match at the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel on Tuesday night. The 41-year-old Swiss star departs the sport as one of its most unique champions, having secured three Grand Slam titles during an era dominated by tennis legends.
A Career Defined by Peak Moments
Eleven years ago, Wawrinka completed a stunning Grand Slam upset by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros final. Dropping the first set to the Serbian star, Wawrinka matched his opponent in his prime and won in four sets. The performance was described by then-tennis correspondent of The Independent Paul Newman as a stunning array of attacking tennis, with Wawrinka executing the match of his life to claim his second major title.
Wawrinka amassed 16 career titles, including three majors. Before his breakthrough, he was primarily known as Roger Federer’s doubles partner when the pair claimed gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, having won only five minor 250-level tour titles. However, his career trajectory changed permanently at the 2014 Australian Open, where he defeated Djokovic in a five-set quarterfinal thriller before overcoming a half-injured Rafael Nadal in the final.
Following his triumph in Melbourne, Wawrinka added his 2015 Paris victory against Djokovic and another win against the Serb in the 2016 US Open final. He stands as one of only eight players in men’s tennis history to win their first three Grand Slam finals.
Legacy Alongside the Sport’s Greats
Despite matching the major tally of Andy Murray, Wawrinka did not reach the same overall statistical milestones. Murray accumulated 46 titles, 14 Masters 1000 events, two singles Olympic gold medals, an ATP Finals title, and the world number one ranking, while Wawrinka’s highest ranking was number three with one Masters 1000 victory. Wawrinka consistently maintained his humility regarding comparisons to the era’s dominant players, stating previously that he felt he was completely away from what they achieved and that grouping him with them was disrespectful, particularly to Murray.
Nevertheless, when examining Grand Slam champions, Wawrinka and Murray remain equals in the archives. Powered by a destructive baseline game and a glorious one-handed backhand recognized as one of the most aesthetically pleasing shots in modern tennis, Wawrinka consistently delivered his best tennis when it mattered most.
Wawrinka continued competing into his 41st year—older than Federer, Nadal, and Murray when they retired—receiving wild cards into every Grand Slam this year and reaching the third round in Melbourne. Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Gael Monfils are scheduled to participate in a farewell exhibition for Wawrinka titled “One Last Backhand” in Geneva on December 19.
