Tennis player Stan Wawrinka secured a wildcard entry into the 2026 US Open following the withdrawal of American player Patrick Kypson due to an injury, according to an announcement by the United States Tennis Association. The 41-year-old Swiss athlete, who won the tournament in 2016, received the spot after initially appearing to bid farewell to the New York fans in a social media post.
US Open Wildcard Restores Wawrinka’s Final Appearance
Wawrinka’s ranking is no longer high enough to secure direct entry into the Grand Slam tournament. According to the USTA, the organization previously awarded its final wildcard to Patrick Kypson, who holds the No. 115 ranking. That decision left Wawrinka without a direct path into the main draw because he did not register for the US Open qualifying tournament.
Criticism emerged on Saturday when the USTA initially omitted Wawrinka from the wildcard list. However, following Kypson’s injury withdrawal, tournament organizers allocated the spot to the three-time Grand Slam champion. Wawrinka stated in an official release that he is incredibly excited to accept the invitation and compete once more in New York.
Social Media Farewell Preceded Last-Minute Revised Entry
Before securing the wildcard replacement, Wawrinka published a message on social media thanking the city and tournament supporters. His online statement included expressions of gratitude toward fans who supported him throughout his career. Wawrinka wrote that New York challenged him and brought out emotions that few other places could match.
The veteran player reflected on his history at Flushing Meadows, citing the long matches, the atmosphere, and the public support. Winning the US Open in 2016 remains one of the defining moments of his professional career, according to his published statement.
Career Highlights and Grand Slam Victories
During an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, Wawrinka established himself as a top-tier competitor. He claimed three major singles titles across his career:
- 2014 Australian Open: Defeated Rafael Nadal in the final.
- 2015 French Open: Defeated Novak Djokovic to win Roland Garros.
- 2016 US Open: Defeated Novak Djokovic to capture the New York title.
Beyond his singles success, Wawrinka reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the ATP rankings and partnered with Roger Federer to win the gold medal in men’s doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His career was also affected by significant physical setbacks, including two knee surgeries in 2017 and a pair of foot operations in 2021.
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