Stan Wawrinka set to retire from pro tennis after 2026 season

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After an illustrious 23-year professional career, Swiss legend Stanislas Wawrinka is ready to retire from tennis, as announced on Dec. 20, 2025.

In a social media post published by Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam winner confirmed that the 2026 playing calendar will be his final year as a professional tennis player.

“One last push,” Wawrinka posted.

“Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour.”

Widely renowned as one of the best to ever have a backhand arsenal, Wawrinka already has a decorated career, having won a Grand Slam trophy three times, 16 tour-level tournaments, an Olympic gold medal and a Davis Cup title.

Wawrinka entered the pro scene in 2002 and took 12 years to hold his first-ever Grand Slam trophy after winning the 2014 Australian Open title.

His dominance would continue over the next two years, adding a French Open championship in 2015 and a US Open trophy in 2016.

In the span of three years, Wawrinka was able to reach three Grand Slam championship stages and made back-to-back quarterfinal trips to Wimbledon from 2014 to 2015.

In retrospect, Wawrinka cemented his name as one of the best-performing singles players in an era dominated by the sport’s “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible,” Wawrinka added.

“I still have dreams in this sport. I’ve enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you.”