Wawrinka and an ode to Spain before his retirement: "I dreamed of being here someday"

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Stan Wawrinka left the 2026 Barcelona Open with a bittersweet feeling. He competed to the last consequences, giving everything he had against a tough opponent like Cameron Norrie, creating enough chances and arguments to achieve victory... but ended up fighting a losing battle, a sensation that has unfortunately become familiar to him in the past year.

Nevertheless, the Swiss had no problem speaking to the media with a smile. Calmness and disappointment gradually gave way to fond memories, to the future nostalgia of a press conference he will not step into again. Thus, the defeat allowed the Swiss to reflect on interesting aspects such as the figure of Magnus Norman, the Sinner vs Alcaraz rivalry, or the future of the one-handed backhand. As precise as in his game, this press conference embodies Stan Wawrinka in his purest form.

Wawrinka explains how he sees the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner; he also talked about the one-handed backhand

- Pleased with the atmosphere in Barcelona in his last match on Spanish soil

"I am very happy with the atmosphere and support I have received; I am always very grateful for it. It is one of the reasons why I have played for so long. It was amazing to have the opportunity to play for the last time on this beautiful court."

- The importance of Magnus Norman in his career, a fundamental figure

"To finish my career with him is incredible. We have been together for over 13 years. He was an impressive player and already a great coach with different players. When he agreed to be part of my team, I was thrilled. We have achieved so much together; I won all my major titles with him... he helped me push myself to the limit, to become a better player."

"It is important for me to finish this career, my last year on the tour, with him; we still work very well together. He has become a close friend to me, and it is great to have him by my side."

- Is there anyone looking at Sinner and Alcaraz today with the fierceness, confidence, and flair with which Wawrinka looked at the Big Three?

"At the moment, no. Currently, Sinner and Alcaraz have more or less shared all the major titles. They have shown much better tennis in crucial moments. The gap between them and the rest is very large right now. We will see how others try to improve. Sooner or later, someone will emerge capable of winning Slams. Will it be in a year? Will it be in five years? We don't know, but it will be fantastic to see."

- A special connection with Barcelona, especially after this defeat

"This loss was more painful because I know it is my last year here; it is my last time in this tournament. Everything around this match was special. Here in Barcelona, I grew as a player. I spent much of my youth playing here, competing in Satellite tournaments, watching the great Spanish players, learning from them."

"It has always been very important and special to me, and it is not easy to leave this place. I grew up on clay courts, and I will always be grateful for the time I spent in Spain, sometimes dreaming that maybe one day I would be here, watching players like Moyá or Costa train in preseason. I have great memories of my youth here in Spain."

- Future events or tournaments after this

"What I want to achieve this year is to continue playing at a high level. Of course, I prefer to win, I want to play more matches, but ultimately, I know where I stand, I know I am 41 years old, and I try to find the balance. I think my next tournament will be the qualifying rounds of Rome, maybe I will play a Challenger before that, I am not sure."

- What makes a one-handed backhand a great weapon: characteristics and potential successors

"I think the one-handed backhand has always been a minority on the circuit. When you are young, you do not have the same power, so it is easier to learn the two-handed backhand for several reasons. Overall, I believe the one-handed backhand will always be there."

"As I have said on other occasions, there are some incredible one-handed backhands on the circuit. Musetti, for example, can generate, dictate, and vary with it. This shot offers many different things: you can change the rhythm more, generate more power when you are on the defensive and running, among other things. You also have the slice as a resource to feel more comfortable, but yes, when you are young, it is easier to learn the two-handed backhand."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Wawrinka y una oda a España antes de su retirada: "Soñé algún día con estar aquí"