Stan Wawrinka Retires After 23-Year Tennis Career

OPA WIRE, Oct 29 (OPA) — Stan Wawrinka’s professional career ended Tuesday in Basel, where he fell to Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) defeat. The Swiss veteran, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3, exited the court to a standing ovation from his home crowd, marking the conclusion of a 23-year tenure that spanned 985 matches and 16 career titles.

Reflecting on his departure, Wawrinka emphasized his commitment to the sport, stating, "The only thing I wanted in my career was to give everything, to have no regrets, to always fight and give 100 percent in every match." Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, praised Wawrinka’s legacy, noting his competitive spirit, power, and precision. Wawrinka retires with three major titles, having secured victories at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open.

Wawrinka’s path to success was defined by his ability to challenge the sport's dominant figures, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Wawrinka achieved his major breakthroughs later in his career, winning his first Grand Slam at age 28. His signature one-handed backhand and relentless baseline aggression became his hallmarks, allowing him to secure 590 career victories and spend 267 weeks ranked within the world's top 10.

While he acknowledged that he remained outside the inner circle of the "Big Four," Wawrinka’s impact on the sport is defined by his resilience and connection with fans. Despite currently sitting at world No. 151, his willingness to compete in ATP Challenger events in his final seasons underscored his enduring passion for the game. Wawrinka leaves the professional circuit as one of the few players to challenge the established hierarchy of the modern era.