Wawrinka given late wildcard for US Open farewell

Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss tennis player, will make his final appearance at the US Open despite initially not being granted a wildcard for the prestigious tournament. The 41-year-old player, who is set to retire at the end of the year, appeared to have been denied a final opportunity to compete in New York, where he secured his 2016 victory.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) faced criticism for not awarding Wawrinka a wildcard, as he had not entered the qualifying rounds. However, after American wildcard recipient Patrick Kypson withdrew due to injury on Wednesday, Wawrinka was offered a place in the main draw.

Wawrinka expressed his excitement about accepting the wildcard for the 2026 US Open and competing in front of the fans in New York once again. He described his US Open triumph in 2016 as "forever one of the greatest moments of my life." Wawrinka had previously received wildcards for the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and reached the French Open main draw on ranking. He reached the third round in Melbourne and lost first-round matches in Paris and Wimbledon.

When Wawrinka first arrived in New York from his small farming village in Switzerland, the city's size, noise, energy, crowds, and lights overwhelmed him. However, over the years, New York became one of his favorite places to play. The US Open, held in the "city that never sleeps," was a place where he experienced some of the strongest emotions of his career, including battles, late nights, an incredible atmosphere, and the love from the crowd. Winning the US Open in this city will always remain one of his greatest career moments.