Stan Wawrinka thought it was over — then came the US Open wildcard twist

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 19:30

Stan Wawrinka raises his arms at the 2018 US Open.

Stan Wawrinka will get the US Open farewell he wanted after all. The three-time Grand Slam champion has received a late wildcard into the 2026 US Open following the withdrawal of Patrick Kypson, who had previously been awarded one of the tournament's final wildcard spots.

The decision gives the 41-year-old one last opportunity to compete at Flushing Meadows before retiring at the end of the season. It also represents a remarkable turnaround after Wawrinka was initially left off the tournament's wildcard list despite publicly requesting a place for his final Grand Slam appearance.

The omission had generated considerable discussion in recent days, particularly because Wawrinka won the US Open in 2016 and has built one of the strongest histories of any active player at the tournament. Most of the original wildcards went to American players, leaving the Swiss without the farewell he had hoped for.

Now, however, Wawrinka will have the chance to walk onto the court in New York one more time, with his late invitation coming just hours after he appeared to have said goodbye to the tournament.

Wawrinka gets his New York farewell after all

“I’m incredibly excited to accept the wildcard for the 2026 US Open and look forward to competing in front of the fans in New York once again”.

The announcement came only a day after Wawrinka had shared an emotional message reflecting on his relationship with New York, recalling how different the city felt when he first arrived from Switzerland.

“When I first arrived in New York from a small farming village in Switzerland, everything felt too big,” Wawrinka wrote. “The city. The noise. The energy. The crowds. The lights. But year after year New York slowly became one of my favorite places in the world. This city challenged me. It pushed me. It brought something out of me that few places ever could.

Wawrinka reached the US Open quarterfinals six times and won the title in 2016.

“I experienced some of the strongest emotions of my career here. The battles, the late nights, the incredible atmosphere, the love from the crowd…memories that will stay with me forever.”

Wawrinka then reflected on the defining moment of his career in New York — his 2016 title run, when he defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to win his third and final Grand Slam title.

“Winning the US Open, in the city that never sleeps, will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life,” the 41-year-old wrote. “Thank you, New York. Thank you, US Open. Thank you to every single fan who supported me, pushed me, believed in me and shared all these emotions with me over the years.”

That farewell message now takes on a very different meaning. Instead of being his goodbye to the tournament from outside the draw, Wawrinka will be able to create one final memory on the court.

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Wawrinka's remarkable US Open history

The former world No. 3 has a 46-16 record at the US Open since making his debut in 2005. He reached the semifinals in 2013, losing to Djokovic, and again in 2015, when Roger Federer ended his run.

But it was his 2016 campaign that cemented his place in US Open history. Wawrinka defeated Juan Martín del Potro, Kei Nishikori and Djokovic in the final three rounds, producing some of the most powerful baseline tennis of his career before lifting the trophy.

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His latest appearance will inevitably be different. Wawrinka is no longer competing for Grand Slam titles and has already confirmed that he will retire this season. But after the disappointment of being initially overlooked, the Swiss now has the opportunity he wanted: one final US Open match in the city that became one of the defining places of his career.

Stan Wawrinka's 2016 US Open Run

Round	Rival	Score
R1	Fernando Verdasco	7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4
R2	Alessandro Giannessi	6-1, 7-6(4), 7-5
R3	Daniel Evans	4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(8), 6-2
R4	Illya Marchenko	6-4, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3
QF	Juan Martín del Potro	7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
SF	Kei Nishikori	4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2
F	Novak Djokovic	6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3

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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