Stan Wawrinka is set to bring the curtain down on his legendary tennis career.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will conclude his professional career on the ATP circuit following his participation in the Basel Open this week.
Wawrinka has been handed an extremely tough draw in Basel and will play world number 21 Jiri Lehecka in the first round.
Wawrinka, who made his Basel Open debut in 2003, has reflected on his career in a pre-tournament interview.
Stan Wawrinka looks back on his tennis career ahead of Basel Open
“Very good,” Wawrinka said of his emotional state while speaking to Tennis TV. “Just arrived [at the event].
“It’s up and down, a bit of everything of course. Knowing that it’s the last tournament ever, it’s never easy.”
Who do you think was a better player: Alexander Zverev or Stan Wawrinka? 🤔
“But at the same time, I’m super lucky and happy to be here in Basel, in Switzerland, to say goodbye to the sport I love,” he concluded.
Wawrinka was then asked if he remembered his Basel Open debut in 2003.
Wawrinka, then 18 years old, was defeated in the first round of the 2003 Basel Open by lucky loser Tomasz Zib.
“I do remember. A long time ago,” a reminiscent Wawrinka stated. “I remember all those years, so many amazing memories of course.
“[In] 2003 I never expected to be here in 2026, but at the same time I was dreaming about making it into the tennis world. So of course, amazing memories.”
Wawrinka and Lehecka are expected to play their first-round match in Basel at around 7:10pm local time on Tuesday, October 27.
If Wawrinka stuns Lehecka and advances to the second round, he will play either lucky loser Daniel Altmaier or qualifier Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
Stan Wawrinka’s ATP Tour titles [16]
- 2006 Umag
- 2010 Casablanca
- 2011 Chennai
- 2013 Oeiras
- 2014 Chennai
- 2014 Australian Open
- 2014 Monte Carlo Masters
- 2015 Chennai
- 2015 Rotterdam
- 2015 Roland Garros
- 2015 Tokyo
- 2016 Chennai
- 2016 Dubai
- 2016 Geneva
- 2016 US Open
- 2017 Geneva
If Wawrinka advances further, he will likely face top seed and US Open finalist Ben Shelton in the Basel Open quarter-finals.
Who won the 2025 Basel Open?
Joao Fonseca is the defending Basel Open champion. The Brazilian youngster won the ATP 500 title after defeating Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in last year’s final.
“It is crazy. I want to thank my family and my coaches who helped me achieve this amazing effort,” Fonseca said after the 6-3, 6-4 victory.
“My parents just came from Brazil. They were coming to Paris and changed their flights and came here one hour before the match with my uncles.
“It is just amazing to have them here for the biggest title of my career. It is a pleasure playing this sport and this tournament and I am very happy.”
Fonseca will not defend his 2025 title after suffering an injury.
As a result, Fonseca has surrendered 500 ATP ranking points and has already fallen 12 spots in the ATP rankings.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is also not competing in the 2026 event. Fokina, who recently won the biggest title of his career to date in Shanghai, withdrew from the Swiss tournament on Sunday.
