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For beloved Wawrinka, Grand Slam career likely ends in first round in New York
🇳🇱 Netherlands /Sports

For beloved Wawrinka, Grand Slam career likely ends in first round in New York

From NRC Handelsblad · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Stanislas Wawrinka’s likely final Grand Slam appearance ended with a first-round defeat to Matteo Berrettini at the US Open.
  • The Swiss player received a warm reception from fans who remembered his 2015 title in New York and his career-long challenge to the sport’s dominant Big Three.
  • Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles and became known for his powerful, elegant one-handed backhand.

The crowd at Grandstand filled the US Open’s third-largest stadium before Stanislas Wawrinka had even started his first-round match against Matteo Berrettini. When the Swiss walked onto court, the applause was loud and unmistakably for “Stan the Man.”

Berrettini is also popular with tennis fans, but this gathering centered on Wawrinka and the likely final Grand Slam match of a career that has entered its farewell tour. Ten years ago, he won his third and last major title at the US Open. This season, each final appearance at tournaments such as Roland Garros and Rotterdam has brought another warm reception.

Wow, what a backhand!

— British Eurosport commentatorThe commentator described the defining feature of Wawrinka’s game after his match against Berrettini.

Wawrinka earned that affection through his work ethic and his distinctive style. He was one of the few players to consistently challenge Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer during their peak years, winning three Grand Slam titles along the way. His one-handed backhand became his signature shot, an increasingly rare stroke in modern tennis and one that many regard as among the most beautiful in the game.

For years I was in the top 20 in the world. I was a good player, happy with where I was. But I wanted more, I wanted to push myself to the limit.

— Stanislas WawrinkaWawrinka described the ambition that drove him toward the peak of his career.

After the Berrettini match, a British Eurosport commentator summed up that legacy: “Wow, what a backhand!” Richard Krajicek, who brought Wawrinka to Rotterdam eight times and coached him during one grass-court season, said the stroke could be devastating when the ball came at hip height.

Wawrinka first reached the top 10 in 2008, at 23, and won Olympic gold in doubles with Federer. His peak arrived later. He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2013 US Open, won the Australian Open six months later after beating Djokovic in the quarterfinals, and defeated Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final. Earlier this year in Rotterdam, he said, “This year I have reached my limit.”

This year I have reached my limit.

— Stanislas WawrinkaHe discussed his farewell season during the Rotterdam tournament.
About this summary

Originally published by NRC Handelsblad in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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