“That match changed my belief in myself”: Stan Wawrinka on Djokovic defeat that reshaped his career

Stan Wawrinka has described Novak Djokovic as “the strongest player in history—by a huge margin” while reflecting on his final season on tour, a campaign in which he is preparing to end a 25-year professional career.

The Swiss player, currently ranked world No. 110, is set to retire later this year, with the Basel Open in October planned as his final official tournament after announcing a gradual exit from the ATP Tour.

Wawrinka’s season has been shaped by limited appearances, including a wildcard entry into Wimbledon and a withdrawal from the Mallorca Open just days before the grass-court swing, as he attempted to optimise his preparation for SW19.

Across an extended interview with First & Red, the three-time Grand Slam champion revisited the key milestones of his career, including Roland Garros, where he exited in the first round this year to Jesper de Jong after a four-set defeat.

Wawrinka’s final appearance at Roland Garros ended in a first-round defeat to Jesper de Jong, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, a result that marked the end of his competitive run at the clay-court major where he had produced some of his career-defining performances.

Despite the result, he described the emotional reception from the Paris crowd as a defining element of his farewell, emphasising that the connection with fans remains the primary reason he has extended his career into his forties.

“It was amazing. It’s one of the main reasons why I’m 41 and still playing this year," Wawrinka said to First&Red. "It’s all because of the emotions I get on court with the fans. There was a special moment in that match—so much support, so much positive energy. I felt love.”

Wawrinka added that, while emotionally significant, the decision to retire was already settled, as he recognised the limits of sustaining elite-level performance at this stage of his career. “But it’s not easy to say goodbye to something you love and have done for a quarter of a century. Still, leaving was the right decision. I’m glad I was lucky enough to hear my last ovation here at Roland Garros.”

Wawrinka placed Novak Djokovic at the top of tennis history, citing both dominance and longevity as separating factors in the debate over all-time greatness. He was explicit in his assessment of the Serbian’s standing in the sport.

“At the end of the day, the strongest player in history is Novak Djokovic—by a huge margin. What he has done over the years is unbelievable. He has broken all records and continues to compete at the highest level.”

The Swiss player also revisited the 2013 Australian Open as a turning point in his career trajectory, identifying the defeat to Djokovic as the moment he began to believe Grand Slam success was realistic rather than theoretical.

That shift was followed by his breakthrough in Melbourne in 2014, a title he continues to frame through the lens of long-term accumulation rather than isolated performance peaks. “The first Grand Slam title is something special. When you reach match point, you suddenly feel everything—everything you have done for 20 years, all the sacrifices, all the discipline.”

Wawrinka also highlighted Rafael Nadal as the most difficult opponent he faced, particularly at Roland Garros, where their matches demanded sustained physical and tactical resistance across long sets and decisive fifth sets.

“The most difficult opponent was Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, especially in the fifth set. His career speaks for itself. Playing him in Paris, on clay, in those conditions, was the toughest challenge in tennis for me.”

Wawrinka addressed the current transition in men’s tennis, focusing on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the leading figures of the next generation. He described both as already operating at a level significantly above the rest of the tour, with their rivalry shaping the competitive structure of the sport.

While careful not to overstate comparisons, he acknowledged their rapid rise and the increasing inevitability of their presence in major finals. When pressed to choose, he leaned toward Alcaraz based on versatility and tactical range. “They are already on their way and trying to do it. Of course, they are still young, I think in the near future they won’t get close to him. It’s hard to say.”

He expanded further when asked directly to choose between the two, emphasising stylistic contrast as a key factor in their emerging rivalry. “If I had to choose, I’d put Alcaraz. They are at the top, much better than the other players. When they play against each other, it’s a match you want to watch because they have different styles.”

Wawrinka also reflected on his own career regrets, pointing to his 2015 Wimbledon quarterfinal defeat to Richard Gasquet as the one result he would most like to change. The Swiss star lost 4-6 in the fifth set after winning Roland Garros earlier that season and still views the match as a missed opportunity to reach the last four at the All England Club.

“I think the quarter-final of Wimbledon in 2015 against Richard Gasquet. It was after the victory at Roland Garros. I played well, I was happy. Everything went well. Even at that Wimbledon I played well, but I lost 4-6 in the fifth set. It was a great match, but he played a little bit better than me. I was hoping to have a chance to play there in the semi-final.”

Looking ahead, Wawrinka confirmed that Basel remains the most likely final tournament of his career, although he stressed that retirement planning at 41 requires flexibility and constant evaluation of his physical condition.

“Probably Basel at the end of the year. Probably there. But when you are 41, you need to live from week to week. Of course, I want to play more. I want to play every week, but I need to be careful. Therefore, I try to make the right schedule based on my current state.”

The three-time Grand Slam champion was also unequivocal when asked whether there was any chance of extending his career beyond 2026. “Absolutely not. It's impossible. I would love to continue to play, but I know I did everything. I know I cannot do more. I cannot ask for more from my body.”