ATP Tour

Wawrinka, 41, retires after standout career

Stan Wawrinka’s illustrious career came to a close Tuesday at the 41-year-old’s home tournament, the Swiss Indoors Basel. With a packed home crowd vocally supporting him, Wawrinka fell to eighth seed Jiri Lehecka at the ATP 500 event.

Well known for his picturesque one-handed backhand, the fans' favourite Wawrinka ascended to a career-high No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2014 and amassed 16 tour-level titles, including three major trophies.

Wawrinka earned his three Slam titles after defeating the then-World No. 1 player in each final. He secured his first major triumph at the 2014 Australian Open, downing Rafael Nadal in the title match. Wawrinka won Roland Garros in 2015 and then the US Open in 2016, beating Novak Djokovic in both finals.

Competing in the heavyweight ‘Big Three’ era — consisting of Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic — Wawrinka finished his career with 590 tour-level match wins. En route to winning his lone ATP Masters 1000 crown in 2014 at Monte-Carlo, Wawrinka defeated countryman Federer in the final.

Wawrinka and Federer partnered to win the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal in men’s doubles. The duo also helped Switzerland win its first Davis Cup title in 2014.

A four-time qualifier for the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals (2013-16), Wawrinka reached the semi-finals in his first three appearances at the season finale.

Earlier this year at the Australian Open, then-40-year-old Wawrinka became the oldest man since 1978 (Ken Rosewall) to reach the third round at a major, beating Laslo Djere and Arthur Gea, who has since become one of the breakthrough stars of the season.

Throughout Wawrinka’s 24-year professional career, his fierce competitive spirit and superb shotmaking ability were on full display. 'Stan the Man' received warm sendoffs throughout his farewell season, often responding to the crowd’s support by forming a heart with his hands — fitting for someone who won over the hearts of tennis fans.