"One last push": Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka announces 2026 retirement

Stan Wawrinka has announced on social media on Friday that 2026 will be his last year on tour in what is the end of an era with Gael Monfils also deciding to curtail his career as of next year with the last crop of older talents led by Novak Djokovic ending their career.

Wawrinka has won 16 tour-level titles in his career including three major titles in an era dominated by Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray as he is very much an outlier alongside Marin Cilic, Juan Martin del Potro, Dominic Thiem among others who have disrupted the status quo.

He rose to a career high No.3 in the ATP rankings. Known for an incredible one handed backhand, he was a common feature of the 2010's winning trophies at the Australian Open in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015 and US Open in 2016. Wawrinka also reached the ATP Finals on four occasions reaching the semi-finals three times between 2013-15. He won at least three times against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic as well as Andy Murray 10 times.

He is the fourth on the list for the most tour wins among active players with only Gael Monfils just ahead who also will retire next year. Wawrinka won the gold medal alongside Federer in 2008 in one of his career highlights and also played a role in the 2014 Davis Cup triumph for the country.

Wawrinka hasn't won a title himself in nearly 10 years with his last foray coming in Geneva in 2017. Though he has reached finals at Roland Garros in 2017, Rotterdam in 2019, Antwerp in 2019 and Umag in 2023. The 40-year-old will begin his final swansong playing the United Cup in Perth which begins on 2nd January. He announced the news on social media that his career would end.

“ONE LAST PUSH,” Wawrinka wrote. “Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour.”

He gave one final mantra for his year ahead as well as saying that it is about finishing on a high.

P perseverance
A ambition
S sacrifice
S success
I injuries
O obsession
N never give up
D discipline
R resilience
E evolution
A ambition
M memories

"This is what this journey as been about. I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible. I still have dreams in this sport. I’ve enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you. I’m looking forward to seeing you one more time, all around the world."