10 years ago, Stan Wawrinka stood inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and broke Novak Djokovic with the kind of tennis that made his nickname feel earned. He attacked from the baseline, absorbed everything the world No. 1 sent back, and left New York with his 3rd major title.
Now, the picture looks very different.
Wawrinka is 41 and approaching the end of his final professional season. By the time the US Open released its initial field on July 21, he was ranked around No. 118. Direct entry was determined by the July 20 rankings, with the men’s cutoff landing at No. 101. That left the former champion dependent on a wildcard.
He has asked for one directly. The only question is whether the USTA believes a champion’s farewell carries more value than another opportunity for an emerging American player.
Wawrinka Has Made His Final New York Request
Wawrinka confirmed his application after playing the final clay court match of his career at the Estoril Open. Speaking to reporters following his defeat to Roman Burruchaga, he also revealed that his next tournament could depend on the USTA’s answer.
A Challenger event in Cancun begins on August 17. Wawrinka said he would consider using it to prepare for the US Open should tournament officials approve his request. The plan gives him competitive hard court matches immediately before New York.
That detail matters. Wawrinka is not asking organizers to place him in the draw so he can collect applause and leave. He wants matches in his legs before facing the physical demands of Grand Slam tennis.
His history at Flushing Meadows speaks for itself. Wawrinka reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2015 before finally winning the tournament in 2016. His run that year demanded every part of his game.
He saved a match point against Dan Evans in the 3rd round, survived 5 sets and then worked through Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori. Djokovic won the opening set of the final. Wawrinka took the next 3, sealing the title 6 to 7, 6 to 4, 7 to 5, 6 to 3.
His connection with New York was forged through resistance, not ceremony.
The 2025 Rejection Still Hangs Over The Story
The recent timeline is clear.
In 2024, the US Open gave Wawrinka a main draw wildcard alongside retiring former champion Dominic Thiem. Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci then beat Wawrinka in straight sets in the 1st round. It was a poor result, and it gave organizers a sporting reason to consider other candidates the following year.
Wawrinka requested another invitation in 2025. He returned to hard courts at the Cancun Challenger and reached the semifinals, but the USTA left him outside the field.
The tournament awarded its 8 men’s wildcards to 6 Americans, France’s Valentin Royer and Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate. The USTA selected Royer and Schoolkate through its standard reciprocal agreements with the French and Australian tennis federations.
Wawrinka travelled to New York for commercial commitments, but he never stepped onto court. His coach, Magnus Norman, later expressed surprise and disappointment over the decision.
“I have requested a wildcard for the US Open. I hope to be able to play there for the last time,” Wawrinka told reporters in Estoril.
That 2025 rejection gives the latest request extra weight. This is no longer about extending a veteran’s career indefinitely. Wawrinka announced in December that 2026 would be his final season.
Leave him out again, and his New York story probably ends with that straight sets defeat in 2024 rather than a proper goodbye at the tournament he once conquered.
His Recent Tennis Proves This Is More Than Nostalgia
Wawrinka’s results do not suggest he can win another US Open. They do show that he can still compete at major level.
The Australian Open gave him a wildcard in January. He responded by reaching the 3rd round and becoming the 1st man aged 40 or older to advance that far at a major since Ken Rosewall in 1978.
His 2nd round victory over Arthur Gea lasted 4 hours and 33 minutes. Wawrinka survived 5 sets against an opponent 19 years younger, winning a deciding tiebreak after midnight. The crowd inside Kia Arena pushed him through the final stages.
That was not an exhibition. It was a physical fight.
Wimbledon offered further proof. Wawrinka battled Matteo Berrettini for 4 hours and 20 minutes on Court 1. Every set reached a tiebreak. The pair struck 110 winners and dropped serve only twice across the entire match.
His legs held. His single handed backhand still pierced the court. When Berrettini finally closed the match, the crowd stood to salute Wawrinka as he left Wimbledon for the final time.
Those performances answer the most important competitive question. Wawrinka can still handle the stage. He might lose early, but his recent matches suggest he would treat the invitation as far more than a ceremonial farewell.
Eric Butorac Faces A Difficult First Wildcard Decision
The final call belongs to the USTA and new US Open tournament director Eric Butorac.
Butorac replaced Stacey Allaster for the 2026 tournament. The USTA described him as a former top 20 doubles player who spent 14 years on tour and later served as ATP Player Council president. He understands what a final major can mean to a player.
He also inherits a restrictive wildcard system.
The USTA typically uses several places to support American prospects. Reciprocal agreements normally reserve another 2 for French and Australian players. Every invitation handed to an international veteran closes a route into the main draw for somebody younger.
Past champions receive no automatic protection. Organizers award wildcards at their discretion, and Wawrinka’s 2024 defeat remains part of the evidence they must consider.
Still, the US Open has made room for farewells before. Thiem received a place in 2024 so the 2020 champion could play in New York one last time. Wawrinka joined him in the draw despite sitting outside direct entry at No. 141.
Public reaction has leaned heavily toward the Swiss. The fan discussion provided for this story was dominated by support, with former champion status and his coming retirement repeatedly cited as reasons to grant the invitation.
That sentiment should not decide the field. It does show what Wawrinka would bring.
Arthur Ashe Stadium would not view him as a fading name filling a line in the draw. The crowd would see Stan the Man, the late blooming champion who challenged the greatest generation in men’s tennis and refused to be pushed aside.
Butorac has a hard call to make. Wawrinka’s ranking says he must ask. His recent matches say he can still compete. His history says New York should listen.
A wildcard would not change his legacy. It would simply let Wawrinka close the chapter in the same city where he once wrote one of its greatest pages.
READ MORE – From Grand Slams To Coaching: How Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Lost Millions
FAQs
Why does Stan Wawrinka need a US Open wildcard?
His ranking sat outside the direct-entry cutoff, so the USTA must invite him into the main draw.
Has Stan Wawrinka won the US Open?
Yes. Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic in four sets to win the 2016 title, his third major championship.
Did the US Open reject Wawrinka’s wildcard request in 2025?
Yes. The USTA chose six Americans plus reciprocal French and Australian selections instead.
Can Stan Wawrinka still compete at Grand Slam level?
His 2026 results suggest he can. He reached the Australian Open third round and pushed Matteo Berrettini through four tiebreak sets at Wimbledon.
Is Stan Wawrinka retiring in 2026?
Yes. Wawrinka announced that he will retire after the 2026 season.
