Despite a playing style that didn’t align well with grass courts, The Championships presented a challenging arena where he consistently displayed his trademark determination.
5. All-Swiss Quarter-Final (2014)
Stan Wawrinka has performed at Wimbledon for the last time. In the twilight of his career at age 41, he faced former finalist Matteo Berrettini in a grueling first-round contest that lasted four hours and 19 minutes. Both players pushed each other to the brink, with every set reaching a tiebreak, culminating in a dramatic scoreline of 6-7(7), 7-6(16), 7-6(7), 7-6(5).
Wawrinka made his debut in the Wimbledon main draw back in 2005 at the age of 20, beginning a remarkable journey that spanned 19 appearances in total. He showcased his fighting spirit early on by overcoming Fabrice Santoro in a challenging four-set match, before being eliminated by future runner-up Andy Roddick in the second round.
In a memorable 2009 encounter, Wawrinka battled through an unforgettable five-set thriller against Jesse Levine in the third round. This match, held on the historic Court 1 as daylight faded, saw Wawrinka rally from a set down to clinch victory with scores of 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. It marked his first highlight for British crowds and established him as a beloved figure in tennis.
Wawrinka demonstrated his prowess on grass with back-to-back quarter-final appearances. In 2015, he advanced to the final eight without dropping a single set. This led to an exhilarating showdown against Richard Gasquet, where both backhand specialists engaged in a fierce battle that extended into a fifth set, with Gasquet narrowly winning 11-9 in the decider.
A legendary night-session match unfolded when Wawrinka faced home favourite Andy Murray in the fourth round. This match was notable for being the first full match played entirely under the newly installed Centre Court roof, ending at 10:39 PM. Wawrinka challenged Murray with his powerful groundstrokes but ultimately lost in a five-set thriller, with the final score 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
His most significant Wimbledon achievement came when he faced fellow Swiss player Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. After defeating Tommy Robredo, Wawrinka reached his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final, making history with the first all-Swiss men’s match in the tournament’s history. After taking the first set, Wawrinka fell to Federer, who rallied to win 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4.
Wawrinka’s final match at the All England Club was a showcase of high drama, intensity, and exceptional tennis, decided by four nerve-wracking tiebreaks: 6-7(7), 7-6(16), 7-6(7), 7-6(5). The second set featured an astounding 34-point tiebreak where Wawrinka held six set points but eventually lost 16-18. He left Court One to a heartfelt standing ovation from fans honoring his remarkable legacy.
While Wimbledon may not have embraced Wawrinka as it did his elegant compatriot Federer, he was always known as ‘Stan the Man’ — a formidable competitor who fought tirelessly and rarely accepted defeat without a fierce battle. It was fitting that he ended his career in the same manner he played — fiercely, tenaciously, and with unwavering entertainment value.
Player Focus
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has historically posed significant challenges for him, acting as both a weakness and a barrier. His strong one-handed backhand and aggressive baseline play have not always adapted well to the grass courts, which tend to favor serve-and-volley strategies and quick slicing techniques utilized by players like fellow Swiss star Roger Federer, who has dominated this venue.
Despite facing setbacks at Wimbledon, he has also celebrated remarkable victories, securing a total of 23 wins. With a career record of 23 wins and 19 losses at this tournament, he leaves with a notable achievement that few players can claim.
