Stan Wawrinka announces retirement at end of 2026 season

Stan Wawrinka, the three-time Grand Slam champion, announced Friday that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of 2026. The Swiss player made the announcement on social media with an acrostic poem using the words "passion" and "dream."

"Every book needs an ending. It's time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player," Wawrinka wrote. "2026 will be my last year on tour."

Wawrinka, who turned 40 in March, said he will approach his final season with the same competitive spirit that has defined his career. "I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible," he wrote. "I still have dreams in this sport."

The acrostic poem featured the letters P-A-S-S-I-O-N and D-R-E-A-M, which Wawrinka said were chosen to summarize "what this journey (h)as been about." The letters corresponded to: perseverance, ambition, sacrifice, success, injuries, obsession, never give up, discipline, and other qualities.

Wawrinka expressed gratitude for his time in the sport. "I've enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing you one more time, all around the world. One last push."

His final season will begin in early 2026 with the start of the professional tennis calendar in Perth, Australia. Wawrinka has won three Grand Slam titles during his career and has been a prominent figure in professional tennis for more than two decades.