Stan Wawrinka is up against it ahead of the final tournament of his career in Basel.
Wawrinka will end his career at the Swiss Indoors after 23 years competing on the ATP Tour.
The 41-year-old will no doubt receive a huge ovation from his home fans in Basel, as Wawrinka looks to go out in style.
However, Wawrinka has not been given any favours by his draw, which has put him at risk of ending his career in disappointment.
What is your best memory of Stan Wawrinka?
Stan Wawrinka has been drawn to face Jiri Lehecka in Basel
Although Wawrinka’s career has spanned so many years, he will actually play against someone he has never faced before in eighth seed Jiri Lehecka in his first round match in Basel.
Lehecka is one of the most underrated players on the ATP Tour, and has been a consistent top-30, top-20 player for the entire 2026 season. Wawrinka could have played even higher-ranked players in Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils, Rafael Jodar and Novak Djokovic, but they would have been more eye-catching matches on paper for fans.
Instead, it feels likely that Wawrinka will be comfortably beaten by Lehecka in somewhat of a lacklustre straight sets match, which is not how a three-time Grand Slam champion like himself deserves to go out in the final tournament of his career.
However, there is no doubt that Wawrinka will receive a huge ovation from his home crowd and will put everything into his final ever tournament, which will be a test for any opponent, even as good a player as Lehecka.
If Wawrinka is able to overcome Lehecka, then he will play against a qualifier, with Shelton and Djokovic also potential opponents for him.
Stan Wawrinka’s record at the Swiss Indoors has been disappointing
Wawrinka will make his 19th appearance at his home tournament of the Swiss Indoors this year, but it has actually been relatively disappointing for a player of his standard.
Despite being a three-time Grand Slam champion, Wawrinka has only ever been able to make the semi-finals of the Swiss Indoors, which he achieved in both 2006 and 2011.
Wawrinka may have some hope about his match against Lehecka, as he has won at least one match in his last six appearances at the Swiss Indoors.
| Year | Stan Wawrinka’s result at the Swiss Indoors |
| 2003 | First Qualifying Round |
| 2004 | First Round |
| 2005 | First Round |
| 2006 | Semi-final |
| 2007 | First Round |
| 2008 | Second Round |
| 2009 | First Round |
| 2011 | Semi-final |
| 2012 | First Round |
| 2013 | First Round |
| 2014 | First Round |
| 2015 | First Round |
| 2016 | Quarter-final |
| 2019 | Quarter-final |
| 2022 | Quarter-final |
| 2023 | Second Round |
| 2024 | Second Round |
| 2025 | Second Round |
For the majority of Wawrinka’s career, the Swiss Indoors has been dominated by his compatriot Roger Federer, who is a record 10-time champion at the tournament.
Wawrinka will be centre stage at the Swiss Indoors this year, as he ends his career in front of his home support.
