ATP BASEL
The 41-year-old Swiss announced earlier in the season that his last tournament as a professional would be the ATP 500-level event in his home country and a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) defeat against Czech Jiri Lehecka brought an end to the career of the three-time major champion.
“I was lucky enough to be able to play alongside them and sometimes beat them,” Wawrinka said in 2024.
he stylish one-handed backhand down the line. The finger pointing to the temple. The demand for more noise from the stands.
The roar of “Allez!” after winning a point he probably should not have won.
The temptation to snap his racquet over his knee after missing a shot he felt he should have made.
There were tears, too, of course.
“All I wanted in my career was to give everything, have no regrets, to always fight, to always give 100% in every match – out of respect for myself, the opponent, the tournament, the fans, for everybody,” Wawrinka told the ATP website.
He bested Nadal to win his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in 2014, before beating Djokovic in the French Open final the following season and then again in the U.S. Open title-match in 2016.
Alongside his compatriot Federer, the Lausanne native won the Davis Cup for Switzerland and claimed gold in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
On the court in Basel, Wawrinka’s every point won, as well as several trademark booming one-handed backhands, was greeted by wild cheers from the partisan home crowd.
But Lehecka got his nose in front with a break of serve in the 11th game and sealed the opening set with an ace.
A tight second set went to a tiebreak, but it was just a step too far for Wawrinka as his 21st-ranked opponent took firm control to seal the tiebreaker and the match.
Wawrinka, who enjoyed a farewell ceremony in Basel on Monday, did a lap around the court to thank the crowd before disappearing down the tunnel for the last time.
“He won the biggest tournaments, so for me to be here in his moment is a little bit weird,” Lehecka told Sky Sports.
“But at the same time, it’s a pleasure, and I will never forget this match.”
The fans, however, will have one more chance to see the Swiss in action this year.
Wawrinka announced in June that he will throw a farewell party on Dec. 19 in Geneva with Federer and Murray also on the card of the “One last backhand” event.
Djokovic, who trained with his old friend and foe Wawrinka ahead of the tournament on Sunday, will open his campaign on Wednesday against Ugo Humbert of France.