Stan Wawrinka will retire at the end of this year, and so each tournament he plays represents another notch on his farewell tour.
His latest came at Roland Garros, where he fought hard but sadly came unstuck in the first round against Jesper de Jong.
Afterwards, he was deservedly celebrated, as a former champion at this event, and having shone at the apex of the sport during one of the toughest periods in ATP Tour history.
It’s a testament to his commitment and talent that even now, 24 years on from his debut on tour, Stan Wawrinka remains competitive.
This has led some, including Sam Querrey, to question the decision to retire.
Stan Wawrinka reinforces why he is retiring from tennis this year
Chatting with the TNT Sports desk, Querrey had a query to pose to Wawrinka, who had just played his last-ever match at Roland Garros.
He asked: “You played well in Australia and you played well yesterday, but you lost. Why are you retiring? Because we think you could keep going.”
Stan Wawrinka is OUT of Roland Garros… where does he rank amongst the all-time greats? 🐐
This led the 41-year-old to explain and reaffirm his decision, admitting: “I wish I could keep going.
“I think I’m that player and generation, [where] maybe I don’t talk too much about my injuries. I don’t like to talk about how my body is. I try not to show it either.
“I’m in pain every day, of course. I’m 41, I’m pushing really to the limits, and I know, I know I did everything I could.
“My dream was to stop by playing well, too.
“I think the toughest things for an athlete is to get injured and to not have this opportunity to come back to the sport I love. And that’s why last year, when I decide with myself for me, I felt it like it was the right thing. I’m gonna try to play one more year in a good level that I feel good with myself and say goodbye to every tournament I loved all those years.”
After his match earlier this week, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer sent messages to Wawrinka, congratulating him on a fine career.
Who did Stan Wawrinka beat to win his three Grand Slam titles?
As touched upon earlier, Wawrinka won the French Open back in 2015.
However, this was one of the three Grand Slam titles he actually claimed across his illustrious career.
What makes those triumphs even more special is the superstar he beat en route to the trophies.
His first major title came in 2014, when Wawrinka won the Australian Open. There, he beat Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, and Rafael Nadal in the final, the two top seeds.
Then, a year later he would win another, this time at Roland Garros.
Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray… who is the greater player? Let us know why below 👇
He overcame his countryman Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, and Djokovic in the final; again, these were the top two seeds.
And finally, in 2016, Wawrinka won his final Grand Slam title.
His US Open run was considerably easier than the aforementioned two, but again culminated in a final against Djokovic.
Just like in Paris, Wawrinka came from a set down to win the title.
