The legacy that Stan Wawrinka leaves: his great triumphs

Iker Jiménez | 20 Dec 2025 | 15.59

Wawrinka achieved his third Grand Slam at the US Open 2016. Source: Getty

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Stan Wawrinka's career is not just explained through titles, but by a very specific pattern: a player capable of reaching practically unattainable tennis peaks when he found the right context. In the midst of an era dominated by the “Big Four”, Wawrinka delivered some of the most remarkable performances ever seen in best-of-five-set matches.

One of the early warnings came at the 2013 Australian Open when he pushed Djokovic to the limit in a match lasting over five hours in the fourth round. Although he was defeated, that match marked a turning point: Wawrinka had shown he could match the physical and mental strength of the world's best player. One year later, at the same tournament, his definitive consecration would come.

The 2014 Australian Open final (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3) against Nadal was the first major milestone of his career. Despite Nadal being hampered by a back injury, Wawrinka displayed aggressive and fearless tennis to claim his first Grand Slam title. A triumph that changed his status forever.

One-handed backhand as a hallmark

If 2014 was the confirmation, 2015 Roland Garros represented the peak. In the final against Djokovic (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4), who had not yet reigned on the clay of Paris, Wawrinka delivered one of the most complete performances ever witnessed on Philippe Chatrier, overwhelming the Serb with his one-handed backhand and constant offensive bravery.

A year later, he would repeat the feat in the 2016 US Open final, once again against Djokovic, prevailing convincingly to capture his third and final Grand Slam title (6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3).

In addition to these memorable matches, there are others such as his victory over Andy Murray in the semifinals of the 2017 Roland Garros, his triumph in 2014 Monte Carlo against Federer, or the doubles gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games alongside Roger.

Even when injuries limited his consistency, that backhand remained a reminder of what his tennis was at its peak. Executed with an unusual acceleration and an extraordinary ability to create angles and depth.

‘Stanimal’ was not the most consistent or complete player, but one of the most formidable when he found his best form. That is why Wawrinka's legacy is not only measured in trophies, but in the sensation that, on his best day, he could defeat anyone.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El legado que deja Stan Wawrinka: sus grandes triunfos