Stan Wawrinka Bids Emotional Farewell to Wimbledon After Tough Match

Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam champion, emotionally bids farewell to Wimbledon after a challenging match against Matteo Berrettini. Despite his loss, Wawrinka reflects on his career and the support from fans that kept him motivated. As he prepares for retirement after the 2026 season, he shares heartfelt sentiments about his journey in tennis and his experiences at Wimbledon. Discover more about his emotional goodbye and his legacy in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 1, 2026, 10:00 IST

Wawrinka's Heartfelt Goodbye

Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, fought back tears as he said an emotional farewell to Wimbledon following a four-set loss to Matteo Berrettini. Last year, Wawrinka announced his intention to retire from tennis after the 2026 season. At 41, he reached the third round of the Australian Open but faced an early exit at the French Open, where he lost in the first round to Jasper de Jong. He had hoped for a strong performance at Wimbledon but faced a challenging draw against a former finalist. Despite this, Wawrinka showcased remarkable resilience, pushing all four sets to tie-breaks, including a grueling 34-point tie-break in the second set, ultimately losing 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-7.

Stan Wawrinka says goodbye to Wimbledon and he had everyone including himself in tears 🫶😭↳ Wimbledon. Every Match. Live & On Demand. Centre Court in 4K.#StanSportAU #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DBl7tnGXi3
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) July 1, 2026

After the match, Wawrinka struggled to contain his emotions as he reflected on his time at Wimbledon. "Saying goodbye to something you love is never easy," he expressed. "I am thankful for the opportunity to play here one last time. I couldn't have asked for a better farewell."

Wawrinka Reflects on Retirement

'It Is Time For Me To Stop' - Wawrinka

Wawrinka acknowledged that retirement is a difficult decision, admitting he doesn't want to leave the sport but recognizes that his time has come. "I don't want to retire, but I know it's time for me to stop," he stated. He mentioned that one of the reasons he continued playing was to savor moments like the one he experienced that night. The former World No. 3 expressed gratitude for the support he received from fans, which has motivated him throughout his career, even into his 40s. "Seeing young fans at tournaments supporting me is incredibly special," he said. "The emotions I share with them during matches have kept me going. Tonight was truly special, with amazing support and atmosphere, battling against Matteo, who is a great friend. I enjoyed that match immensely."

Wawrinka's Wimbledon Legacy

Wawrinka Proud Of Wimbledon Record

Although Wawrinka never reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, he expressed no regrets about his performance on grass courts. "I believe I achieved the maximum I could, just like in the other Grand Slams," he reflected. "Reaching the quarter-finals was a significant accomplishment for me, and I am proud of what I have achieved at Wimbledon."