Wawrinka bows out after first‑round loss at Basel, ending 24‑year career

Stan Wawrinka fell 7-5, 7-6(2) to eighth‑seed Jiří Lehečka in the opening round of the Swiss Indoors in Basel, sealing the end of a 24‑year professional career. The 41‑year‑old had announced in December that 2026 would be his farewell season and had received warm send‑offs at each stop. Wawrinka turned pro in 2002 and climbed to a career‑high world No. 3 in 2014, winning 16 tour‑level titles. He captured three Grand Slam crowns: the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open, beating the reigning world No. 1 in each final – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Novak Djokovic again. He also partnered with Roger Federer to win the doubles gold for Switzerland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and helped the Swiss side claim its first Davis Cup in 2014. In his final match his last shot was a backhand that landed wide as the home crowd groaned. Speaking to the ATP Tour website before the match, Wawrinka said, “For me, all I wanted in my career was to give everything, to have no regrets, to always fight, to always give 100 per cent in every match – out of respect for myself, for the opponent, for the tournament, for the fans, for everybody.” He added that this mindset had guided him for more than two decades and was the only way to leave the sport without regrets.

Context

Wawrinka’s retirement marks the end of one of the most successful Swiss singles careers, joining Roger Federer as a two‑time Olympic gold‑medalist and Grand Slam champion who bowed out at his hometown event.