Stan Wawrinka on Farewell Problem and What’s Subsequent

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, January 2, 2026Photo credit score: Getty

Stan Wawrinka’s 2026 farewell tour is already evoking combined feelings.

The three-time Grand Slam champion mentioned he’s grateful to play one ultimate farewell season however realizes the emotion of bidding goodbye to the game he loves and the followers who’ve supported him will make for some tearful event exits.

The 40-year-old Wawrinka launches his ultimate season in Perth this week as each captain and participant for Workforce Switzerland. Wawrinka mentioned he is aware of parting shall be painful, however takes delight within the truth he can nonetheless compete on the highest degree at age 40.

“I all the time attempt to push my restrict for me. Being an athlete is all the time doing the utmost you possibly can, pushing your personal limits, attempting to achieve the very best you possibly can with your personal capacity,” Wawrinka advised the media in Perth at the moment. “In fact, it’s going to be tough generally in tournaments. It’s going to be actually emotional, as a result of I understand how I really feel and the way I’m, and I really like a lot this sport, however typically, I’m actually proud of my resolution.

“I’m at peace with that. I’m joyful to have this opportunity to nonetheless be capable to play at that degree at 40 years previous. Like I say, hopefully I can get some good end result this 12 months.”

The person nicknamed Stanimal, now ranked No. 157, is one among solely three males in historical past to defeat Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal in Grand Slam play, becoming a member of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych in attaining that superior feat.

Former world No. 3 Wawrinka has beforehand mentioned he’d prefer to win yet another title—he gained his final title earlier than residence followers on the 2017 Geneva and performed his final Tour-level ultimate on the 2023 Umag—and with 582 profession victories to his credit score, he’s 18 wins in need of a 600th profession win.

Nonetheless, Wawrinka mentioned taking part in high quality tennis and saying goodbye to followers who’ve proven him an outpouring of help on social media since he introduced 2026 shall be his final 12 months on Tour are his main objectives.

“It’s all the time good to obtain so many message and help, in fact. Like I say, for me, I’m passionate in regards to the sport since ever,” Wawrinka mentioned. “I actually take pleasure in being on tour, touring, taking part in in entrance of all these folks around the globe. That’s one of many explanation why I stored taking part in for thus lengthy. It’s to play in entrance of the followers.

“It’s, in fact, superb, however like I say, I announce it’s going to be my final 12 months, however I nonetheless have one full 12 months of tennis. There’s a variety of tournaments to play. Yeah, hopefully I can take pleasure in that and get some good outcomes.”

The person who partnered Roger Federer to carry Switzerland to its first Davis Cup championship left the door open for a 2027 United Cup return, strictly within the captain’s chair, primarily based on how properly the crew efficiency this week.

“Let’s see. Let’s see the way it goes,” Wawrinka mentioned of his United Cup captaincy. “Let’s see first how we take pleasure in this week. Hopefully if we play properly, if we go away Perth on a constructive notice, possibly I’ll come again as a captain.”