WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 1, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Stan Wawrinka gave it his all against Matteo Berrettini but after four hours and 20 minutes on No. 1 Court Tuesday night, his magnificent Wimbledon career – filled with 19 memorable campaign appearances – had come to an end with the conclusion of their first-round match.
The 41-year-old Swiss maestro – the oldest man in this year’s main draw – waved farewell to the crowd that filled Wimbledon’s second-largest show court and showed its support for the 109th-ranked wild card from first ball to last ball. Wawrinka lost to the 51st-ranked Berrettini of Italy, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).
Together, Wawrinka and Berrettini, good friends and company on the second evening of the British fortnight, combined to give an entertaining performance. While the 30-year-old Roman will move on to the second round against No. 20 seed Arthur Fils of France on Thursday, Wawrinka bid goodbye some of his favorite fans in one of his favorite places to play tennis.
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One thing was certain from first ball to last, Wawrinka came to compete – and his one-fisted backhand is still a thing of beauty after all these years.
Despite losing, Wawrinka, a former World No. 3 and three-time major titlist, was given the courtesy of one last on-court interview – something that is normally reserved just for match winners on the biggest courts at Wimbledon. Fighting back the tears that welled in his eyes, he spoke with passion from the Hearst as he was interviewed by the BBC’s Lee McKenzie.
“I’ve always been passionate about the game, always enjoyed that,” he said. “I’m grateful, and I would like to thank everybody because I had the chance, this opportunity to play one last time here. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better goodbye.
“I don’t want to retire but I know it’s time for me to stop. It’s one of the reasons why I kept playing for so long is to enjoy those moments like tonight. It’s so much emotion. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity, to have received the wild card to have the chance to play one last time Wimbledon.”
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Berrettini (29) and Wawrinka (18) combined to hit 47 aces and 110 total winners (66-44 in favor of Berrettini). Both won a high percentage of their first-serve points (86 percent for Berrettini, 81 percent for Wawrinka). Each broke their opponent once. Berrettini outpointed Wawrinka 178-168.
When it was his turn to be interviewed on court, Berrettini, a 2021 Wimbledon finalist, was gracious in his comments about Wawrinka. Before he reached the on-court microphone, Berrettini grabbed some of the signature Wimbledon towels Wawrinka used during the match that were still in the towel boxes on court and raced toward the exit to catch up with with the fallen but proud hero. Berrettini presented his friend with a going-away gift. Wawrinka was truly surprised by the kind gesture.
“He’s a legend and he showed it today,” Berrettini said of Wawrinka, during his on-court interview. “Unbelievable player, unbelievable competitor. I remember in 2014, I was playing the juniors here and I snuck into Centre Court. He was playing against Roger [Federer]. It was a big honor to play against him here, on Court 1. I feel so honored, so grateful.”
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Later, during Wawrinka’s post-match interview, he acknowledged the number of kids – the next generation of players and fans – who cheered for him.
“For me, it’s the best feeling ever to see the young kids, first, being in tournaments, and of course supporting me. That’s always going to be special,” Wawrinka said. “One of the reason why I kept playing for so long is because of the fans and because the emotion I can get and share with them when I’m playing matches.
“Tonight, again, was really special. Amazing support, amazing atmosphere, playing against Matteo who is a great friend, great guy. We had a good battle, and I’m happy with that match tonight.”
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Wednesday’s Wimbledon order of play
By the numbers
Stan Wawrinka made his 19th and final Wimbledon appearance this year and finished with a career win-loss record at the All England Club of 23-19. He is in joint-fifth place on the Open Era list for most Wimbledon men’s singles appearances, alongside Fernando Verdasco, but behind Roger Federer (22 Wimbledon men’s singles appearances), Novak Djokovic (who is making his 21st appearance here this year), and Jimmy Connors and Feliciano Lopez (both 20 appearances here).
“Quotable …”
“It’s always special as a player. I think you’re always going to feel different here when you arrive. I think the history of the game, the history of tennis is really unique here.
“As much as is always nice to watch on TV when you’re younger, the first time you came here, the emotion you get just by walking around is really special. And more than 20 years later, I still have the same feeling when I come back here.
“I think it’s something really amazing as a tournament, for tennis, for the fans, and for us, the players.”
– Stan Wawrinka, 41, during his final post-match news conference, on what Wimbledon meant to him.
