Stan Wawrinka Bids Tearful Farewell to Wimbledon After Epic Four-Set Battle With Matteo Berrettini

Stan Wawrinka’s illustrious journey at the All England Club came to an emotional close on Tuesday evening, as the three-time Grand Slam champion bid a tearful farewell to Wimbledon. Following a grueling four-hour, 20-minute battle against Italy's Matteo Berrettini, the 41-year-old Swiss veteran received a thunderous standing ovation from the No. 1 Court crowd. Wawrinka, who announced late last year that the 2026 season would be his last on the professional tour, struggled to contain his emotions as he waved to the fans, marking the end of his 19th and final main draw appearance at the historic tournament.[2][3][4]

The first-round encounter was a masterclass in serving and resilience, with Berrettini ultimately prevailing 6-7 (7), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5). In a testament to the sheer quality of the contest, the match featured just two breaks of serve across four sets. Both men won more than 70 percent of their service points, turning the match into a tense, high-stakes shootout that demanded absolute focus.[1]

The defining chapter of the match unfolded during an astonishing second-set tie-break that stretched to 34 points. Wawrinka, seeking to take a commanding two-set lead, generated multiple set points, but Berrettini refused to yield. The Italian fended off six set points before finally clinching the breaker 18-16, a momentum-shifting moment that leveled the match and brought the crowd to a fever pitch.[1]

As the evening progressed and the roof was closed over Court 1, the indoor conditions only amplified the electric atmosphere. Wawrinka, the oldest player to compete in a Grand Slam main draw since Ivo Karlovic in 2021, repeatedly delighted the spectators by rolling back the years. His signature one-handed backhand—one of the most devastating and aesthetically pleasing shots in tennis history—was on full display, piercing the court with heavy topspin and pace.[1]

Despite his age and recent physical struggles, Wawrinka went toe-to-toe with the former Wimbledon finalist. The two players combined for a staggering 110 winners, showcasing a level of shot-making that belied Wawrinka's veteran status. However, Berrettini’s booming serve and relentless forehand gradually wore down the Swiss star in the crucial moments of the third and fourth-set tie-breaks.

When Berrettini finally secured the victory on his own serve in the fourth-set breaker, the immediate aftermath was defined by profound mutual respect. The two competitors met at the net for a warm, extended embrace. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, Berrettini quickly stepped back and gestured for the crowd to direct all their applause toward Wawrinka, ensuring the departing champion received his due adulation.[1][4]

"He's a legend and he showed it today," Berrettini said in his on-court tribute. "Unbelievable player, unbelievable competitor." The Italian then shared a poignant memory from his youth, recalling how he had snuck into Centre Court as a junior player in 2014 just to watch Wawrinka play against Roger Federer. "It was a big honor to play against him here, on Court 1. I feel so honored, so grateful," Berrettini added.

In his post-match press conference, a visibly moved Wawrinka reflected on the difficulty of leaving the sport's most prestigious stage. "It is never easy to say goodbye to something that you love so much," he told reporters. "I am grateful. I would like to thank everybody because I had the chance to play one last time here. I couldn't have dreamed of a better goodbye."[2][4]

Wawrinka acknowledged that while his competitive fire still burns, his body is signaling that the end is near. "I don't want to retire, but I know it is time for me to stop," he admitted. He emphasized that the primary reason he continued to push himself through grueling rehabilitation and training blocks in his late thirties was precisely to experience atmospheres like the one on Court 1.[2]

While Wimbledon remains the only major tournament missing from Wawrinka's trophy cabinet, his record on grass is highly respectable. He reached the quarter-finals at the All England Club in 2014 and 2015. "The grass was always a bit more challenging for me, for my game, and also the way I gain my confidence," Wawrinka explained, noting that he was nonetheless proud of maximizing his potential on the surface over his two-decade career.

Wawrinka's legacy in tennis is uniquely secure. During an era suffocated by the unprecedented dominance of the "Big Three"—Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—Wawrinka was the rare outlier who possessed the sheer power to blast through them on the biggest stages. His victories at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open cemented his status as a modern great.[3]

With a few months remaining before he officially hangs up his racket, Wawrinka is determined to soak in the final stops of his farewell tour. As for his life after tennis, the Swiss star said he has several plans but intends to take things slowly. "I just want to close the chapter, close the book, chill a bit, enjoy being home with my family and friends, and take some easy time before thinking about what's next," he concluded.