Stan Wawrinka Bids Farewell to the US Open: A Champion’s Final Goodbye
After two decades of unforgettable battles on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, Stan Wawrinka has officially said goodbye to the US Open. The Swiss tennis legend, known for his powerful one-handed backhand and never-say-die spirit, missed out on a main-draw wild card for the 2024 tournament, prompting an emotional reflection on his storied relationship with the event. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday, Wawrinka acknowledged the changing nature of his connection to the tournament, emphasizing that having “one more opportunity to play in this tournament” was what mattered most to him.
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Wawrinka’s journey to the US Open has been marked by both triumph and near-misses. The 2014 Australian Open champion and 2015 Roland Garros winner has always held a special affinity for New York, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2015. However, as his career entered its twilight, securing a spot in the main draw became increasingly challenging. This year, the USTA chose to award its wild cards to other players, leaving Wawrinka on the outside looking in. His coach, Magnus Norman, revealed that they had hoped for an invitation in 2025, a year after the USTA had granted Wawrinka and retiring 2020 champion Dominic Thiem main-draw wild cards. That gesture, while appreciated, now feels like a distant memory as Wawrinka faces the reality of his final US Open appearance.
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The 2023 US Open was particularly poignant for Wawrinka, as he delivered a memorable run to the third round, where he pushed world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to four sets before falling. That match, played under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, served as a fitting tribute to a player who has always thrived on the big stage. Wawrinka’s absence from the 2024 main draw marks the end of an era, but his legacy in New York is secure. He leaves behind a trail of unforgettable moments, including his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2016 final, which remains one of the greatest upsets in US Open history.
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Shimanta Das 
