It is time to celebrate Stan Wawrinka’s tennis career.
The Swiss superstar saw his legendary tennis career come to an end on Tuesday evening following defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the Basel Open first round.
“For me, it’s an ideal ending,” Wawrinka told reporters in Switzerland after the 5-7, 6-7 defeat on Centre Court.
Following Wawrinka’s retirement, let’s take a look back at some of his greatest moments as a tennis player.
2014 Australian Open
Wawrinka became the first and only man in tennis history to defeat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to a Grand Slam title when he won the 2014 Australian Open.
The Swiss superstar – who also defeated Andrey Golubev, Alejandro Falla, Vasek Pospisil, Tommy Robredo and Tomas Berdych at the event – defeated Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 3-6, 9-7 in the quarter-finals.
Who do you think was a better player: Alexander Zverev or Stan Wawrinka? 🤔
Wawrinka went on to defeat Berdych in the last four, setting up a final clash with world number one Rafael Nadal.
Wawrinka proved too strong for Nadal, who struggled with a back injury and a blistered hand, triumphing 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 inside Rod Laver Arena.
“I still think that I’m dreaming,” said Wawrinka afterwards. “It’s a strange feeling. I saw so many finals. I always try to watch the finals of Grand Slams because that’s where the best players are playing.
“Before today, for me it wasn’t a dream. I never expected to play a final. I never expected to win a Grand Slam. And right now I just did it.”
2015 Roland Garros
Around 17 months later, Wawrinka snagged his second Grand Slam crown.
Wawrinka, seeded eighth in Paris, defeated Djokovic to win the major title for the first time.
“It was an incredible atmosphere on court and I felt emotion like I never have before,” said Wawrinka after winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| R1 | Marsel Ilhan | 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 |
| R2 | Dusan Lajovic | 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 |
| R3 | Steve Johnson | 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 |
| R4 | Gilles Simon | 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 |
| QF | Roger Federer | 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 |
| SF | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 |
| F | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 |
“I would like to thank my coach Magnus Norman. You played in the final without winning but this victory is yours as well as mine.”
“There are things that are more important in life than victories and that is character and respect – Stan you are a great champion with big heart,” Djokovic said of his triumphant opponent.
2016 US Open
Wawrinka’s final Grand Slam triumph occurred in Flushing Meadows, New York.
The Swiss superstar again downed Novak Djokovic in the championship spectacle, triumphing 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
Wawrinka struck 46 winners during the contest and converted six of his 10 break-point opportunities.
Wawrinka’s tournament would have played out a lot differently, had he not saved a match point against Dan Evans in the third round.
“This is amazing,” Wawrinka said during his post-match speech. “I came here without the goal of winning it but stepped on the court trying to win the match.
“I played a lot of tennis, I am completely empty. There was so much emotion with the crowd, the atmosphere, the stadium, it’s been an amazing night.”
2008 Beijing Olympics
One of Wawrinka’s early triumphs occurred at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The Swiss star teamed up with Roger Federer to win the men’s doubles gold, defeating Sweden’s Thomas Johansson and Simon Aspelin in the final.
“It’s a magical moment,” said Federer after winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. “Something incredible in my career.”
For me, it was my first big, big result, to be able to win a gold medal in the Olympics,” Wawrinka told the ATP Tour in 2024.
“The Olympics is not only special, it’s special because it’s every sport. It’s all of the athletes in every sport and it’s something that not only tennis fans watch, but fans of every sport are going to watch the Olympics in general.”
2014 Davis Cup
Six years later, Wawrinka and Federer played a key role in another of Switzerland’s great sporting successes.
Switzerland won the Davis Cup for the first time in the nation’s history after defeating France 3-1 in the final.
Wawrinka gave France an early lead by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets. Gael Monfils then stunned Federer in straight sets, levelling the tie.
Wawrinka and Federer then combined to give Switzerland the lead once again inside the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France, beating Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet.
Federer closed out the contest, defeating Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
The 2014 Davis Cup final
- Stan Wawrinka defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
- Gael Monfils defeated Roger Federer 6-1, 6-4, 6-3
- Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer defeated Juliean Benneteau and Richard Gasquet 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
- Roger Federer defeated Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
“We fought hard for it, I have been playing this game for 15 years now and have never come as close as this past weekend,” Federer told the Davis Cup’s official website.
“I’m happy I was able to stay calm and play a good match when I had to and clearly I am very happy for all the guys on the team, they worked very hard to get me match-ready and Stan has put in so much effort over the years, has had an unbelievable weekend and that’s what gave me the opportunity today.
“I appreciate that and this one is for the boys.”
