“I’d like to face Carlos”: Stan Wawrinka targets Alcaraz clash before retirement

Stan Wawrinka has entered the final season of his professional career with a clearly defined competitive objective, but also with a personal ambition that adds a distinct layer to his farewell campaign. The 41-year-old, who confirmed that 2026 will be his last year on Tour, has identified a potential match against Carlos Alcaraz as one of the experiences he still hopes to achieve.

Wawrinka’s approach to this final stretch reflects a balance between performance and perspective. He has opted to structure his schedule around the European clay swing, skipping the Sunshine Double in the United States in favour of preparing on his preferred surface. That decision led him to the Napoli Challenger, where he exited in the opening round after a third-set tie-break loss to Matteo Martineau.

His immediate calendar continues on clay, with Marrakech followed by wildcard entries into the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. These events represent both competitive opportunities and potential pathways toward the kind of high-profile matchups that remain on his personal checklist before retirement.

While results remain part of the equation — including a stated goal of finishing the year inside the Top 100 — Wawrinka’s final season is also shaped by selective motivations. Among them, the possibility of facing Alcaraz stands out as a symbolic meeting between generations.

Wawrinka has been explicit in his preference when discussing potential opponents. Having faced Jannik Sinner multiple times in recent years, he pointed to Alcaraz as a more compelling and unexplored challenge at this stage of his career. The appeal lies not only in competitive value, but also in the significance of sharing the court with one of the defining players of the new era.

“If I’m honest, I’d like to face Carlos. I’ve played Jannik many times, so I would like to have a different experience,” he said in an interview with Spazio Tennis this week. “We can call it a small dream for this year — it would be exciting to be on the other side of the net against a player like that.”

That ambition aligns with the broader context of Wawrinka’s final season, which is unfolding against a backdrop of generational transition on the ATP Tour. Players like Alcaraz have redefined the competitive ceiling, while veterans such as Wawrinka continue to navigate the closing phase of their careers with a focus on meaningful performances.

At the same time, Wawrinka has maintained that his priority remains his own level rather than specific matchups. The three-time major champion also asserted that there is no possibility he will change his mind about retiring, even if he achieves big results. “Absolutely not. I’m happy with my level and with the fact that I’m still able to push myself to the maximum. That was my goal for my last season as a professional, and that’s how I want to finish my career. The idea is to end the year in the Top 100, and so far I’m happy with what I’ve managed to do.”

Despite the symbolic weight attached to his final year, Wawrinka has resisted shifting into retrospective mode. His comments indicate a deliberate effort to remain anchored in the present, approaching each tournament individually rather than framing the season as a farewell tour defined by milestones or emotional closure.

“To be honest, I’m trying not to look too far ahead — for now, the next tournaments are still far away," the former world No. 3 said. "At the moment I’m taking everything one week at a time and one match at a time. It’s still too early to think about tomorrow. Right now there is Napoli, and that is the main goal — then we will calmly decide the next steps.”

That mindset extends to how he views his own legacy. While acknowledging pride in his career, Wawrinka has indicated that reflection will come later, once his competitive chapter has fully concluded. For now, the emphasis remains on execution, preparation and maintaining the level required to compete on the Tour.

“I think it’s still too early to look back at what I’ve done during my career. From my point of view, I know that I’ve always tried to be the best version of myself and to give the maximum possible, enjoying every tournament I’ve played. That’s what I know today, and I’m absolutely proud of it.”