No farewell for Wawrinka: US Open confirms final wildcard and leaves Swiss out
ATPSunday, 23 August 2026 at 04:30
Stan Wawrinka will not receive a wildcard for the 2026 US Open, meaning the three-time Grand Slam champion will miss the main draw at Flushing Meadows in what was expected to be his final appearance at the tournament. The 41-year-old is retiring at the end of the season after a 24-year professional career.
Wawrinka's ranking outside the world's top 120 meant he was not eligible for direct entry into the main draw, leaving a wildcard as his only route into the tournament without qualifying. He was also not entered in the qualifying draw, making the wildcard decision particularly significant.
The situation became more complicated as the US Open's wildcard list evolved. Alexei Popyrin and Martin Damm initially received wildcard places, but both subsequently moved into the main draw through their rankings after withdrawals. Their original wildcard spots were therefore released and reassigned to Dane Sweeny and Darwin Blanch.
With the final wildcard eventually going to Patrick Kypson, all eight places were filled without Wawrinka receiving one. Former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov was also among the notable players left without a main-draw wildcard.
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Wawrinka's US Open legacy makes the snub notable
Wawrinka's history at Flushing Meadows makes his absence particularly striking. Exactly 10 years ago, the Swiss defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2016 final to win his third Grand Slam title. Now 41 and approaching retirement, he will not get the chance to return to the scene of one of the greatest victories of his career.
The US Open has also been statistically Wawrinka's strongest major. He has won 74.2 percent of his matches at Flushing Meadows and reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2015. His three Grand Slam titles also include the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open, underlining the career he built across all four major tournaments.
Wawrinka has continued to appear at the biggest events during what is expected to be his final season. He played at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2026, but his run at the latter ended with a first-round defeat to Matteo Berrettini after more than four hours.
His most recent US Open appearance came in 2024, when he lost in the first round, while his last victory in New York came in 2023. With retirement approaching at the end of the season, the decision means Wawrinka will not receive the grand farewell in New York that his career and his 2016 title might have warranted.
How the final wildcard list changed
The wildcard situation was shaped by late changes to the entry list. Popyrin and Damm were initially awarded wildcard places, but both subsequently moved into the main draw through the regular entry list, freeing those invitations.
Dane Sweeny took over Popyrin's original wildcard, while Darwin Blanch replaced Damm. Patrick Kypson received the final available invitation.
Read also
2026 US Open men's singles wildcards
| # | Player | Ranking |
| 1 | Gael Monfils | 305 |
| 2 | 124 | |
| 3 | Michael Zheng | 110 |
| 4 | 224 | |
| 5 | J.J. Wolf | 285 |
| 6 | Sebastian Gorzny | 782 |
| 7 | Jack Kennedy | 392 |
| 8 | Patrick Kypson | 115 |
* Popyrin and Damm were the original recipients of those wildcard places before moving into the main draw through the regular entry list, freeing their wildcards for Sweeny and Blanch.
For Wawrinka, the result is a disappointing conclusion to his relationship with the US Open. A decade after lifting the trophy in New York, and with retirement approaching, the Swiss will have to watch this year's tournament from the outside.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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