A unique career comes to an end, an infinite legend begins

Andrés Tomás Rico - 27 Oct 2026 | 23:30
ATP stan wawrinka ATP Basilea 2026

Stan Wawrinka, who lost in his debut at the ATP in Basel, puts an end to a story of more than 24 years, with 3 Grand Slams and a one-handed backhand for eternity.

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A unique career comes to an end, an endless legend begins. Photo: Getty Images

Everything has a beginning and an end, and officially Stan Wawrinka is now a former tennis player. The Swiss, one of the last guardians of the one-handed backhand, bids farewell to professional tennis after losing in the first round of the ATP 500 in Basel to Jiri Lehecka (7-5, 7-6(2)). But the final result of a player who ascends to the heavens for his achievements (3 Grand Slams) and, above all, for his infinite love of tennis, matters little.

Since he announced his retirement a year ago, throughout 2026, Wawrinka has received all kinds of tributes at every tournament in which he participated. At 41 years old, the Swiss refused for several years to hang up his racket, no matter how much his tennis was no longer what it once was and his physique could not keep up. He continued for the pure and profound love of tennis, and fans have always appreciated that everywhere on the planet.

Wawrinka retires with 3 Grand Slams, but with the love and recognition of the tennis world

Thus, one of the players with the best one-handed backhand in tennis history retires, which became his personal logo. However, Wawrinka was much more than that shot; his serve was also prodigious, and his forehand a true cannonball. Not to mention his character filled with honesty, humility, and approachability.

For his name to appear on the trophies of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open was not in anyone's initial predictions, not even his own. Especially coming from a country where he could never be number one because it coincides with the god of tennis, Roger Federer. But far from comparing himself, Stan always accepted his differences, knew he could never reach that level of tennis but swore to give his all to get as close as possible. And all of this in absolute silence; he was simply working.

Respected by each and every one of his peers, he was never counted as a favorite in any of the main titles he won. Always in the shadow of Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, even Andy Murray. But the Swiss managed to defeat them all, always match by match, with humility, with a one-handed backhand that paved the way, and with a phrase tattooed on his wrist that would become the motto of his career: “You always tried. You always failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Upon his arrival in Basel, he was more than ready to take the final step, the one that is hardest to take. “I have a mix of emotions, with moments of all kinds, because I know this is the last tournament of my career. It's never easy to face something like this, but at the same time, I feel very fortunate and happy to be here, in Basel, in Switzerland, to say goodbye to the sport I love so much. It seems like it was an eternity ago. I never imagined I would still be here in 2026, although, at the same time, I always dreamed of making a place for myself in the world of tennis. So I carry wonderful memories from this entire journey,” concluded a Stan Wawrinka who not only has some of the most important titles in tennis but also leaves with the recognition and affection of an entire sport. And that is always worth more than any one-handed backhand, any victory, and any trophy.

The career of Stan Wawrinka comes to an end, but now the legend of a tennis player for history begins.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Se termina una carrera única, comienza una leyenda infinita