Stan Wawrinka bids emotional goodbye after final Grand Slam match

Stan Wawrinka's final US Open appearance ended in defeat to Matteo Berrettini, but the three-time Grand Slam champion received an emotional farewell from the New York crowd. As he prepares to retire at the end of the season, Wawrinka reflected on two decades of memories at Flushing Meadows.The Swiss received a rousing farewell from the packed Grandstand crowd. (Photo: AP)Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka received an emotional farewell at the US Open on Monday as his final appearance at a major ended with a 6-7(4), 6-7(3), 0-6 defeat to Matteo Berrettini. The 41-year-old is set to retire at the end of the season.Wawrinka's exit carried extra weight given his history in New York. It was here in 2016 that he won the third of his three Grand Slam titles, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Monday's defeat on Grandstand marked his last appearance at a major tournament.WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:"It has been 20 years since I first came to New York," Wawrinka said during the post-match ceremony. "I remember the first time I came here. It was impressive for me to feel the New York vibe and the energy of this tournament."The result did little to dampen the occasion as the packed crowd repeatedly rallied behind the Swiss throughout a fiercely contested opening two sets. Berrettini eventually pulled away in the third, but the night belonged to Wawrinka and the memories he had built in New York. FINAL GRAND SLAM FIGHTWawrinka had chances to extend his farewell. After falling behind early in the opening set, he broke Berrettini while the Italian was serving for it and later earned a set point. Berrettini survived a lengthy game before taking the tiebreak.The second set followed a similar pattern. Wawrinka created seven break points, including three set points, but could not convert them. Berrettini held his nerve again in the tiebreak to move within one set of victory. Wawrinka was unable to produce another fightback in the third. Berrettini secured three breaks and completed the win without dropping a game.'THE REASON I KEPT PLAYING'The crowd's response was perhaps the most touching part of Wawrinka's farewell. Their support, he said, was a major reason he continued his career into his 40s."But over the years, I have received so much support and love. Because of you [the fans] I really enjoyed it and I found a way to play my best tennis here," he said.Stan Wawrinka conducting the crowd after his loss to Berrettini at the U.S. Open.This is the last time he will ever conduct a Grand Slam crowd.The crowd is savoring it and so is he.One. Last. Time. pic.twitter.com/aEcuAep1kw— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026"Tonight, again, was the reason why I kept playing until 41. [It is because of] the moments like you gave me tonight, like you gave us tonight. This is an amazing sport."Wawrinka had initially missed out on a place in the singles draw before receiving a last-minute wildcard following Patrick Kypson's withdrawal. That gave him the chance to complete his Grand Slam farewell at the tournament where he lifted the trophy 10 years ago."I am super grateful for the wild card because it was important for me to have the opportunity to finish playing all four Grand Slams here in New York," Wawrinka said. "I'm gonna miss it for sure. I'm gonna miss it big time."Wawrinka finishes his US Open career with a 46-17 record, having also reached the semi-finals in 2013 and 2015. Berrettini advances to the second round, where he will face Mariano Navone.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 07:45 IST