Stan Wawrinka Denied US Open Wild Card in Final Season Before Retirement

Former champion Stan Wawrinka will miss the main draw in New York after the USTA awarded its final wild card to world No. 115 Patrick Kypson.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion, will not compete in the main draw of the tournament during his final professional season. The U.S. Tennis Association awarded its final wild card entry to American Patrick Kypson, who holds a world ranking of No. 115, rather than the 41-year-old Swiss veteran. Wawrinka, a former world No. 3, did not enter the qualifying tournament, officially ending his chances of competing at Flushing Meadows before his impending retirement.

Three-Time Major Champion Bids Farewell

Wawrinka concludes his career as one of the most decorated players of the era defined by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. His resume includes three Grand Slam titles, highlighted by his 2016 victory in New York where he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final. This followed a 2014 Australian Open championship secured against Rafael Nadal and a 2015 French Open title earned by beating Djokovic. Beyond his singles success, the Lausanne native teamed with Federer to secure an Olympic gold medal in men's doubles during the 2008 Beijing Games.

Injury Struggles and Rankings Decline

The latter stages of Wawrinka’s career were marked by significant medical interruptions that impacted his ability to maintain a high ATP ranking. He was unable to defend his New York title in 2017 due to two separate knee surgeries performed that year. Further complications arose in 2021, when he underwent a pair of foot surgeries. These physical setbacks contributed to a ranking that was no longer high enough to grant him direct entry into the 2026 field, leading to his reliance on a wild card that ultimately went to Kypson on Saturday.

A Final Message to New York Fans

Despite the USTA's decision, Wawrinka expressed his appreciation via social media on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Using emojis of the Statue of Liberty and a tennis racket, he addressed the fans who supported him throughout his career. He described his journey from a small farming village in Switzerland to the energy and noise of New York City, noting that the environment pushed him to experience the strongest emotions of his professional life. He specifically cited the late-night battles and the atmosphere of the "city that never sleeps" as defining elements of his career.

Legacy at Flushing Meadows

Wawrinka’s history at the tournament is defined by resilience and high-stakes victories. Although he missed the 2017 event, his 2016 triumph remains one of the greatest moments of his life. He noted that while the city initially felt too big and the lights too bright, it eventually became one of his favorite places in the world. His departure marks the end of an era for a player who consistently challenged the dominance of the "Big Four" on the sport's largest stages.