Stan Wawrinka's long-time coach, Magnus Norman, shared his deep regret regarding the three-time Grand Slam winner's exclusion from the US Open. Wawrinka, nearing the end of his distinguished 24-year professional career at 41, had actively pursued a wildcard spot. Despite his history as a former US Open champion and a highly decorated player of his era, his request was ultimately declined, even after additional wildcard opportunities arose.
The last available wildcard was granted to American player Patrick Kypson, ranked 115th globally, confirming Wawrinka's absence from the main draw at the US Open. As Wawrinka did not enter the qualifying rounds, his last appearance at the tournament remains his first-round exit in 2024.
Norman, who has collaborated with Wawrinka for over a decade, acknowledged the profound disappointment while reminiscing about their shared triumphs in New York. Wawrinka's career is now progressing towards its conclusion, with only a few tournaments remaining before he steps away from professional tennis.
Wawrinka's camp had aimed for one final Grand Slam showing for the 41-year-old veteran, especially after he received wildcards for the three other major tournaments this season. However, the US Open prioritized American talents in its wildcard distribution. Norman expressed his heartache on social media, stating, 'We pushed to play one last Grand Slam at 41 years of age but we just came up short.' He extended his gratitude for the wonderful memories created both on and off the court with Wawrinka and the team over the past 13 years in New York.
This decision means Wawrinka will not return to the venue where he achieved one of his career's most significant victories. A decade ago, in the 2016 final, he overcame Novak Djokovic to claim his third Grand Slam title, adding the US Open trophy to his 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open wins.
Wawrinka's Grand Slam journey concludes with an impressive record of 160 wins and 74 losses, including a 46-16 record at the US Open. His most recent victory in New York was in 2023, where he defeated Yoshihito Nishioka before being eliminated by Jannik Sinner in the third round.
Wawrinka's 2026 season saw him make one last significant Grand Slam run, reaching the third round of the Australian Open. He then received wildcards for the French Open and Wimbledon, where he had never progressed beyond the quarterfinals. His Wimbledon campaign ended in the first round against Matteo Berrettini, an unexpected conclusion to his Grand Slam main-draw appearances.
Having missed the 2025 US Open due to a lack of a wildcard, this year's decision carries greater weight given his impending retirement. With all wildcards now allocated, there is no path for Wawrinka to participate in the New York major again. His remaining competitive engagements will now center on the concluding tournaments of the 2026 season, including the Swiss Open Indoors, where he will have the opportunity to bid farewell to his home crow
Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik clinched the US Open mixed doubles title, securing a significant prize after overcoming two match points in a thrilling final. This marks their inaugural Grand Slam victory, highlighting Mensik's powerful serve and Muchova's resilient return to the court after recent surgery.
Tennis star Anastasia Potapova publicly criticized United Airlines following an unpleasant encounter with a flight attendant and her dog on a flight to New York for the US Open. Potapova accused the crew member, identified as Mary, of showing disrespect and making threats to remove her from the plane, emphasizing that she had never experienced such unprofessional behavior despite her extensive international travel. The incident unfolded just before the start of the final Grand Slam of the season, adding an unexpected layer of drama to her preparations.
Four British tennis players, Jacob Fearnley, Toby Samuel, Harry Wendelken, and Harriet Dart, are just one victory away from securing a spot in the US Open main draw after successfully navigating their second-round qualifying matches in New York. Their resilient performances highlight a promising run for the UK contingent in the prestigious tournament's qualifying stages.
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, the renowned husband-and-wife duo, have successfully navigated their way to the semi-finals of the US Open Mixed Doubles. They are now poised to compete for their inaugural Grand Slam title as a team, an achievement that would mark an extraordinary milestone in mixed doubles tennis. Other formidable pairs, including Bencic/Cobolli, Muchova/Mensik, and Andreeva/Rublev, have also secured their spots in the semi-finals, intensifying the competition for the coveted 2026 US Open mixed doubles championship.
Jannik Sinner has decided to extend his break from tennis due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee, choosing a cautious approach over a rushed return for the US Open. This decision, influenced by recent medical evaluations, means he will not touch a racket until at least September 6th, with a target return at the Beijing tournament on September 30th. His team is prioritizing full recovery to ensure long-term health, despite having achieved a Grand Slam title earlier in the season.
Tennis legend Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has received a wildcard entry to the 2026 US Open. This comes after initial disappointment when he was omitted from the list, seemingly denying him a final appearance at Flushing Meadows before his planned retirement. The 41-year-old, who won the US Open in 2016, expressed his excitement to compete once more in a city that holds significant career memories.