Playing at home in the final tournament of his career, Stan Wawrinka fell to Jiri Lehecka, while Roger Federer paid him a heartfelt tribute.
The Basel tournament hosted, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, a moment charged with emotion for Swiss tennis. Stan Wawrinka, 41, was competing in front of his home crowd in the final tournament of his long career. Despite the warm reception from the spectators, the Swiss was beaten in the first round by Czech player Jiri Lehecka, 7-5, 7-6.
The defeat did not overshadow the message delivered by Roger Federer, fellow countryman and former partner of Wawrinka. The two players had together won a doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, a memory many consider one of the most defining moments of their shared journey with the Swiss team.
Federer chose simple, affectionate words to honour the man who had long been his close ally on the tour. His tribute was widely shared and highlighted the camaraderie born of that Olympic success, as well as the special place Wawrinka occupies in the history of Swiss tennis.
Wawrinka leaves behind a career rich in titles, including three Grand Slam tournaments. His powerful groundstrokes and one-handed backhand remain among the most admired of his generation, alongside those of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Basel crowd applauded the player at the close of the match, marking the departure of a major figure in Swiss tennis. His retirement opens a new chapter for Switzerland, which now turns to the next generation after more than two decades defined by the partnership he formed with Federer.
The defeat did not overshadow the message delivered by Roger Federer, fellow countryman and former partner of Wawrinka. The two players had together won a doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, a memory many consider one of the most defining moments of their shared journey with the Swiss team.
Federer chose simple, affectionate words to honour the man who had long been his close ally on the tour. His tribute was widely shared and highlighted the camaraderie born of that Olympic success, as well as the special place Wawrinka occupies in the history of Swiss tennis.
Wawrinka leaves behind a career rich in titles, including three Grand Slam tournaments. His powerful groundstrokes and one-handed backhand remain among the most admired of his generation, alongside those of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Basel crowd applauded the player at the close of the match, marking the departure of a major figure in Swiss tennis. His retirement opens a new chapter for Switzerland, which now turns to the next generation after more than two decades defined by the partnership he formed with Federer.
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Source: Ouest-France