One of tennis’ most powerful backhands has struck its final ball. And it happened in front of the fans who knew him best.
Stan Wawrinka’s career came to an end Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, when he lost 7 to 5, 7 to 6 to eighth seed Jiri Lehecka in the first round of the Swiss Indoors at his home tournament in Basel, Switzerland.
How did Stan Wawrinka’s last match end?
Stan Wawrinka, 41, kept the match close, pushing the second set to a tiebreaker before Lehecka pulled away, winning it 7 to 2. He fought hard in the first set as well, but Lehecka broke serve late to take it 7 to 5.
His final shot as a professional was a backhand that landed wide, drawing an audible groan from the passionate home crowd. Fans in Basel had turned out to see one of the country’s most beloved athletes play one last time.
Lehecka, a rising Czech player, advanced to the second round. He is one of several young players who grew up watching Wawrinka and the stars of his era.
Why did Stan Wawrinka retire?
Stan Wawrinka announced last December that 2026 would be his final season on tour. He received warm sendoffs at tournaments around the world throughout the year. Tournaments marked his final appearances with tributes, and fellow players praised his career.
He turned professional in 2002 and played into his 40s, an unusual feat in a sport that demands so much physically. He battled through knee surgeries late in his career. He returned from those operations and kept competing long after many of his peers retired.
What made Wawrinka special?
Known to fans as Stan the Man, Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles, and he beat the world No. 1 in each final.
He defeated Rafael Nadal to win the 2014 Australian Open, then beat Novak Djokovic for the French Open title in 2015 and again at the U.S. Open the following year. He also reached the French Open final in 2017.
Winning majors during the era of Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic set him apart. Few players outside that group managed even one Grand Slam title during their peak years.
He climbed as high as No. 3 in the world in 2014 and won 16 titles at the tour level. He won the Monte Carlo Masters in 2014, one of the sport’s biggest clay events.
His backhand, hit with one hand, was among the most feared shots in the game. Fans loved watching him unload on it from the baseline.
What did Wawrinka win with Roger Federer?
Wawrinka teamed with Federer to win the men’s doubles gold medal for Switzerland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The two also led Switzerland to its first Davis Cup title in 2014, a high point in the country’s tennis history. That team victory remains a defining moment in Swiss sports.
Wawrinka often played in Federer’s shadow early on but built his own legacy as one of the sport’s toughest competitors in big matches. The two remain linked as the leaders of a golden era for Swiss tennis.
What is Stan Wawrinka’s legacy?
Stan Wawrinka proved that a player could reach his peak later than most. He won his first Grand Slam title at 28, an age when many players begin to decline.
His fearless style in the biggest moments made him a fan favorite around the world. He was known for his intensity and for celebrating big wins by pointing to his temple.
As he left the court in Basel, Stan Wawrinka walked off as one of the most respected players of his generation.
