Wawrinka Receives Late US Open Wildcard
Stan Wawrinka, 41, will play his final Grand Slam at the US Open after a late wildcard was granted following Patrick Kypson’s injury withdrawal. The Swiss champion, who will retire at year-end, had initially been denied entry but now will compete in New York where he won in 2016.
Stan Wawrinka will make a farewell appearance at the US Open, having been granted a late wildcard after American Patrick Kypson withdrew with injury. The 41-year-old Swiss player, who will retire at the end of the year, had initially been denied a spot in the main draw.
American wildcard recipient, pulled out on Wednesday due to injury, the USTA offered the vacant spot to Wawrinka. He accepted the invitation, saying he was "incredibly excited" to compete in front of New York fans again. The decision followed a heartfelt message from the former world number three on social media, where he described his 2016 US Open victory as one of the greatest moments of his life.
Wawrinka’s US Open Legacy
Wawrinka has played 18 US Open main-draw matches since his debut in 2005, winning the title in 2016. He has also earned three major titles overall: the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open, and the 2016 US Open. His recent Grand Slam appearances include a third-round finish at the Australian Open, and first-round exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Swiss champion will now add a final appearance in New York before retiring.
In addition to the reciprocal wildcards reserved for French and Australian players, the USTA initially allocated six wildcards for both men’s and women’s singles to American players. The USTA, which organizes and finances the US Open, argues it has every right to prioritize its own players. However, the sport would have suffered if a charismatic champion like Wawrinka had not been given the chance to say a proper farewell at the event he won in 2016.
The Australian Open and Wimbledon have also shown willingness to offer wildcards to international players: the former gave Wawrinka and Venus Williams, while Wimbledon awarded wildcards to Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov, Serena Williams and French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska. The USTA’s decision to grant Wawrinka a wildcard after Kypson’s injury withdrawal illustrates the flexibility of the allocation system.
Looking Ahead The US
Open will begin on Sunday, 30 August at Flushing Meadows. Wawrinka’s entry adds a nostalgic element to the tournament, and fans can follow the schedule on the official fixtures page. For more details on the players and their recent performances, check the stats and squad pages. If you want to see how injuries have impacted the draw, the injuries section provides up-to-date information.
The tournament’s prize money and ranking points remain unchanged, and the event will continue to attract top talent. Wawrinka’s participation will undoubtedly draw attention, as he will compete in front of the crowd that once celebrated his 2016 triumph. The US Open starts on 30 August, and the Swiss champion is ready to make his final Grand Slam appearance in New York.
Source: BBC Sport