One last hurrah in Spain: Stan Wawrinka receives wildcard for Barcelona Open after being snubbed in Sunshine swing

Stan Wawrinka was snubbed out of a wildcard at both the Indian Wells and the Miami Open. This was despite the three-time Grand Slam champion showing glimmers of his old self on court in some positive performances to kick off 2026, which will also be his final year on tour. He is getting more recognition on clay, however, accepting a wildcard for the Barcelona Open taking place from April 13-19.

The 40-year-old is experiencing all these glamorous tournaments one more time before he hangs his racket up to end what has been a decorated and well-respected career in the spotlight. He will be looking towards his final clay swing with hope and ambition, with it arguably being his best surface.

Despite the physical aspects needed to compete on the surface, Wawrinka still has it in him to pull off a surprise or two as he looks to showcase his class a few more times before quitting for good.

One of these occasions will be at the Barcelona Open, where he has become the second player to receive a wildcard, closely following 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar. The Swiss has never reached the final of the tournament, which has been dominated by Spaniards in the past on home soil, specifically Rafael Nadal, who has clinched silverware an incredible 12 times. In recent times, world number one Carlos Alcaraz has continued this trend, reaching the final in three of the prior four events while winning the title in 2022 and 2023.

The ATP 500 event was competed by Wawrinka last year, but he was unable to get past the first hurdle, losing out to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-4. He has competed in the event on six separate occasions, reaching the semi-final stage back in 2006 and 2008.

Wawrinka announced on social media that 2026 would be his final year in the sport after a long career at the top. He shared the news at the end of 2025 as he made the tough decision whilst preparing for what would be 'one last push.'

He began the year in fine fashion, helping Switzerland reach the final of the United Cup for the first time. Teammate Belinda Bencic proved to be pivotal in this as Wawrinka lost his final four singles ties but three of them in three-set battles against respectable opponents.

He then produced an eye-catching run at the Australian Open. He took down Laslo Djere in four sets before getting the better of a devastated Arthur Gea in a titanic five-set showdown lasting over four and a half hours, showing the incredible fitness and determination built up inside. He would exit at the next stage to former US Open finalist Taylor Fritz but it was certainly a memorable trip Down Under for the final time.

He was still winning matches after this, but was unfortunate to keep coming up against the eventual winners in that specific tournament. He lost in the last-16 to Felix Auger-Aliassime of the Open Occitanie, Alex de Minaur in the ABN AMRO Open and Daniil Medvedev in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Many expected him to be back in action in the Sunshine swing, but were disappointed to see his name left off the wildcards list. Instead of attempting to get through qualifying, Wawrinka opted to commence his clay season earlier than most, competing in a Challenger event in Naples. He would leave frustrated after losing in the opening round.

His next main focus on mind is the ATP 250 event in Marrakech ahead of the Monte-Carlo Masters. Similar to Barcelona, Wawrinka has gotten in through the wildcard route. He won his only Masters 1000 title in Monaco back in 2014 against Roger Federer. He will be hoping for more of the same ahead of a return to Barcelona.