“Wild cards are not granted”: Stan Wawrinka gives measured response to US Open wildcard drama

Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 08:30

Stan Wawrinka has now given his first account of the US Open wildcard drama that initially left him out of the tournament before a late invitation changed everything. The three-time Grand Slam champion had already accepted that his major career was over, making his first comments since the U-turn particularly revealing about how he processed the disappointment.

Wawrinka had returned home from New York on Monday believing there would be no final US Open appearance. By Wednesday, he was in the Swiss mountains when the call arrived confirming his wildcard following Patrick Kypson's withdrawal. His reaction was not anger at being overlooked, but sadness at losing the farewell he had wanted.

“Yeah, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, of course, because I came back home Monday night from New York," Wawrinka admitted at press conference. "So for me, it was in my mind the end of my Grand Slam career. I would have loved to be here. So I had to accept those emotions by not having the wild card. And I was OK with it.”

The 41-year-old will now play Matteo Berrettini in the first round, giving his final US Open an immediate rematch of their Wimbledon meeting earlier this summer. Wawrinka lost that four-hour battle after four tie-breaks, but the prospect of facing Berrettini again was welcomed rather than viewed as an unfortunate draw.

Wawrinka had already made peace with missing New York

Wawrinka's response to the original decision was notably measured. He acknowledged that his ranking did not guarantee direct entry and that wildcards are discretionary, meaning he never viewed his omission as something he was entitled to challenge. His frustration was instead about losing the opportunity to say goodbye on court after more than 20 years of US Open appearances.

“At the end of the day, I always said that the only way to be sure to play a tournament, you have to be the right ranking," he added. "I knew I wasn't on the list directly. So I was hoping for a wild card. But I also know that wild cards are not granted. So it was not a problem for me not to have it. I was just sad not to be able to say goodbye to New York and to the US Open.”

Stan Wawrinka plays at Swiss Indoors.

That farewell had already become real in Wawrinka's mind. He had left New York and returned to Switzerland, where he was spending time in the mountains when the situation changed. The turnaround required him to abandon those plans almost immediately, with the wildcard turning what had looked like the end of his Grand Slam career into one final tournament appearance.

“And I got the call, I think, Wednesday night or Wednesday afternoon when I was in the Swiss mountains. So, of course, I was happy and I had to quickly organize to be back here.”

Wawrinka's acceptance of the original decision also reflects how he has approached the final stage of his career. He has already announced that 2026 will be his final season, and the US Open is his last Grand Slam. Rather than framing the wildcard as something that corrected an injustice, he treated it as an unexpected second opportunity.

Now Berrettini, then one last New York chapter

The opportunity comes against a familiar opponent. Wawrinka and Berrettini met at Wimbledon in the first round, where the Italian eventually prevailed in a marathon lasting more than four hours and featuring four tie-breaks.

“Wimbledon was a tough battle, it was a great match," the 41-year-old Swiss player stated. "I think we both played well, more than four hours, four tie-breaks. So it was really special, Court One. So at the end, he's a really tough player to play. He's a great guy. He's good friends also. So it's going to be special to play him again here.”

The backdrop makes the return even more significant. Wawrinka won the US Open in 2016, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final, and has reached two other semifinals in New York. He has played the tournament every year since 2005 except 2006, building a 46-16 record across his appearances.

His own assessment of the end of his career is therefore less about whether one final run can produce another deep result. “My main goal was to have zero regrets when I will be stopping this game. And I think I did everything possible to be the best version of a tennis player I could."

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"I always pushed myself all those years, trying to give everything on the court and off the court. So with that, I'm quite in peace with myself. I know I couldn't do it more.”

The wildcard means Wawrinka will not have to say goodbye to the US Open from home after all. His first-round meeting with Berrettini now gives him the chance to do it where he wanted: on court, in New York, one last time.

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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