By Ibrahim Khalil – World Editor
Stan Wawrinka Leaves Professional Tennis at Age 41
Stan Wawrinka ended his professional tennis career on Tuesday, October 27, walking away from the circuit as a three-time Grand Slam champion who carved out major titles during an era dominated by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. He spent his career in the shadow of tennis’s modern triumvirate while securing victories at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open. Jamais je n’ai espéré faire une telle carrière
, he stated in 2015 following his victory at Roland-Garros, which he regarded as the masterpiece of his major trilogy. Even at his peak, the former world No. 3 never imagined he could end the supremacy of the trio, feeling he had rien à voir
with them.
Confronting the Triumvirate in Major Finals
Wawrinka faced a tennis landscape defined by three players who claimed 66 of the 83 Grand Slam tournaments played between 2003 and 2023. The Swiss right-hander was one of only two players, alongside Andy Murray, to win multiple major titles during that era. His head-to-head records reflected the steep challenge: 23-3 for Federer, 19-3 for Nadal, and 21-6 for Djokovic. In addition to those triumphs, he defeated Nadal in the Australian Open final and overcame Federer in the Roland-Garros quarterfinals en route to lifting the trophy. Reflecting on his career, Djokovic noted in 2025: Je pense que Wawrinka est vraiment sous-estimé, les gens oublient très souvent ce qu’il a accompli
.
Merci, Stan ❤️🤍Stan Wawrinka's ATP career comes to an end after falling to Lehecka 7-5 7-6 in Basel#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/78PtrkhgEm
Building a Career Through Late-Career Success
Wawrinka was not heralded as a prodigy in his youth. Despite capturing a junior title at Roland-Garros, his first Grand Slam quarterfinal arrived in his sixth professional season, his first semifinal in his ninth season, and his maiden final at nearly 29 years old, coming during his 36th appearance at a major tournament. Reflecting on his development, he explained, Mon talent a été de bosser. Jusqu’à mes seize ans, il n’y a pas eu un mec qui est venu me dire : toi, tu vas être un bon joueur
. Operating with a powerful one-handed backhand, a formidable first serve despite his modest height of 1.83 m, and a heavy baseline game suited for clay—including his sole Masters 1000 victory secured in Monte Carlo in 2014—he earned monikers like “Stanimal” and “the Bison.” Former world No. 6 Gilles Simon observed that Wawrinka spent years lingering between the 10th and 20th spots in the rankings before breaking through to capture Grand Slam titles near the age of thirty.
Navigating the Shadow of Roger Federer
Wawrinka’s relationship with Roger Federer included both cooperation and friction. Early on, Wawrinka frequently sought guidance from his compatriot who was four years his senior, appreciating the great champion’s aura protectrice
while acknowledging the difficulty of managing an impossible rivalry with le plus grand génie de tous les temps
. Long labeled le Suisse qui perd
, Wawrinka occasionally raised concerns about the intermittent commitment of his teammate regarding Davis Cup ties. Ten days after that Masters clash, the pair captured the Davis Cup for Switzerland in Lille against France before 27,000 spectators. Even after briefly overtaking Federer as the Swiss No. 1 following his Australian Open triumph, Wawrinka maintained: Pour moi, je suis toujours N.2. C’est le meilleur joueur de l’histoire. Il n’y a pas de comparaison possible
.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Stan Wawrinka win his three Grand Slam titles?
Wawrinka won his first major at the Australian Open in 2014, added the French Open title in 2015, and captured the US Open in 2016.
What were Wawrinka’s head-to-head records against the “Big Three”?
He finished his career with a 23-3 record for Federer, 19-3 for Nadal, and 21-6 for Djokovic.
Did Wawrinka and Federer ever win a team title together for Switzerland?
Yes, the pair won the Olympic doubles gold medal in Beijing in 2008 and led Switzerland to victory in the 2014 Davis Cup final against France.