Wawrinka's most emotional farewell: "There will definitely be tears tomorrow"

Carlos Navarro - 28 Oct 2026 | 13:00
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The Swiss player gave in to Lehecka and addressed the press for the last time in his professional career. His words carry a heavy emotional weight.

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Wawrinka put an end to his career.

It is always difficult, as spectators, to say goodbye to those who have marked our childhood and adolescence. Many of the players currently in the ATP top-100 grew up watching on their televisions a devastating one-handed backhand that could take down anything in its path. That force of nature, channeled through an almost extinct shot, brought a close to an illustrious career of over 20 years of perseverance and ambition yesterday, in a journey that began with a junior title at Roland Garros and ended with a first-round loss at home in the ATP Basel 2026.

Stan Wawrinka bowed out with honors, and his farewell was iconic both on and off the court. There was significant anticipation to witness the Swiss's final press conference, the last time he would face the microphones after one of his matches. He could not win a set against Jiri Lehecka, but he did feel the warmth and affection of a crowd that has carried him every time he represented his country, in addition to the love from an entire world, that of tennis, which has ended up "adopting" him as one of its favorite players. That blend of charisma and elegance that Lausanne's native has always showcased was evident in this final appearance, filled with intense emotions.

Wawrinka bids farewell to the world of tennis "feeling competitive": these were his words

Despite extending his time on the circuit to 41 years, Stan has not stopped challenging players who are, in some cases, 20 years younger than him. The unforgettable victory against Arthur Gea in Australia, the love for dropping down (and winning) on the Challenger circuit, the unforgettable goodbyes at the other Grand Slams, with great duels like the one he had at Wimbledon against Berrettini... and a finish, against a top-20 opponent, where he competed until the end, always with a close score and the feeling that there was one last trick still hidden in his repertoire.

Is it a sad day? How has Stan experienced it? There is nothing like hearing it from his own voice, in a single statement that is emotional and closes the curtain on a fabulous career. "Honestly, I am very happy. I am very, very happy for having lived what I have experienced this last season. Of course, it's mixed feelings: I am also sad because I know that I will never be able to experience these kinds of emotions again. I could not play at the level I wanted anymore, play in front of everyone, play in Switzerland... as I said, I am getting old, and I have had several seasons where, after my major injuries, I have fought to return to the right level.

I have run out of energy in the last seasons: my body doesn’t always follow me as I would like, and my mind doesn’t either. It's true that I always dreamed of being able to close my career on my own terms, to be able to finish feeling good, feeling competitive... and that is what I have achieved this year. It has been an exceptional season, filled with so many emotions. There has been much sadness in every tournament I said goodbye to because I knew that on each occasion I was living the end, but it was much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. I have received so much love, I have lived so many emotions...

This last year, at 41 years old, I have felt competitive. I have played against the best players, faced young guys, had great matches, I even won some. For me, it's an ideal ending, a dream finish. To end my career in Switzerland, in front of so many people, with so much enthusiasm, with the ceremony we experienced yesterday and the love and affection I have received from the public and the tournament, from all the people who have been here for so many years... I could never have imagined it this way.

There will be tears, of course, tomorrow there will be a lot of tears, not necessarily from alcohol (laughs), but more from sadness. Even so, when you are an athlete, you know that this day will come someday. When you love what you do, when you love this sport, you want to explore your limits to the fullest. That is what I did. I am 41 years old, here I am, I believe I am very lucky. I have earned this luck, but I am privileged to have lived the emotions I experienced today. It is exceptional." We will miss you, Stan.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La despedida más emotiva de Wawrinka: "Mañana habrá lágrimas, seguro"