“I will be wearing it in Sydney”: Stan Wawrinka’s playful shirt promise to Bencic goes viral

Team Switzerland at the United Cup is on fire, led by Belinda Bencic and Stan Wawrinka, after reaching the semifinals of the tournament for the first time. In their two previous appearances, the Swiss had been eliminated in the Round Robin stage, but this time there is a clear sense that something special is happening within the European team.

Switzerland advanced from the Round Robin with convincing wins — 3–0 against France and 2–1 against Italy. The latter seemed particularly challenging, as Italy were the reigning champions of the Davis Cup (men) and the Billie Jean King Cup (women). However, the Swiss delivered a surprise performance, led by an outstanding Bencic, and topped their group.

Their semifinal opponents were Argentina, who pushed Switzerland hard. Bencic got things started with a straightforward win over Solana Sierra, but Sebastián Báez levelled the tie for the South Americans after defeating three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. In the decisive mixed doubles — as had been the case all week — Bencic teamed up with Jakub Paul, and the pair claimed their third consecutive victory as a partnership.

After closing out the series against Argentina and securing their trip from Perth to Sydney for the semifinals, the Swiss team was in high spirits. Asked about the secret behind the team’s strong form this week, captain and singles player Stan Wawrinka did not hesitate. “Belinda,” Wawrinka said with a smile.

“I’m not a secret,” replied Bencic, the Tokyo 2024 Olympic gold medallist. “Yeah, but you are the key,” the 40-year-old responded.

The 28-year-old Bencic, currently world No. 11, is enjoying an outstanding start to the season. She has recorded three singles victories and played a decisive role in all three mixed doubles wins. Six matches, six wins in total, for a player who is just one step away from returning to the top 10.

Within the Swiss camp, there is a clear understanding of Bencic’s importance to the team, as well as the strong chemistry they have built during their time in Perth. Wawrinka himself has joked several times with his compatriot and even carries a T-shirt in his bag reading: “Belinda’s World.”

“It’s the least I expect. I mean, how do you treat a gift like that?” Bencic joked about the present from the three-time Grand Slam champion.

“You sure? Okay, done deal. I will be wearing it in Sydney when she’s playing,” Wawrinka declared. “No pressure, but now you have to keep playing that well.”

The former world No. 3 has shown a high level in Perth, despite a third-set tie-break loss to Flavio Cobolli and a quarter-final defeat to Sebastián Báez.

The 40-year-old had opened his campaign with a win over Arthur Rinderknech, a revitalising victory in what is expected to be the final year of his career. Wawrinka is still uncertain whether he will play the Australian Open — a tournament he won in 2014 — as he is waiting for a wildcard. “I’m happy where I am right now, and I’m not too worried about what’s going to happen in Melbourne,” he said in press conference.

“I want to play one more time. Of course, it’s my last year. Amazing memories from there, but I’m so grateful I received one last year,” Wawrinka added. “It’s a wildcard. I had one job to do if I wanted to play one more time — to be in the Top 100 — and I’m not.”

Switzerland will now await their semifinal clash in Sydney on Saturday, 10 January, when they face Belgium, led in singles by Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs. Belgium have also fielded a doubles pairing of Greet Minnen and Sander Gillé. Both teams will be chasing their first-ever United Cup final.