Wawrinka Handed US Open Wildcard After Fan Outcry
- On Wednesday, the Tennis Association announced that Swiss Stan Wawrinka will compete in the Open, replacing American Patrick Kypson, who withdrew due to injury.
- The USTA's initial decision to omit the 2016 champion sparked widespread criticism within tennis circles; Wawrinka, 41, who is retiring at season's end, had been excluded from the original list of eight wildcard spots.
- With a world ranking of 127, Wawrinka fell just outside the window for direct main draw entry, though the Swiss player is a three-time Grand Slam winner with titles at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 Open.
- After previously posting an emotional farewell, Wawrinka expressed gratitude for the reprieve, stating "I'm incredibly excited to accept the wildcard for the 2026 US Open and look forward to competing in front of the fans in New York once again."
- This controversy reignited fierce debate regarding the wildcard selection process for major tournaments, as critics, including Open Champion Andy Roddick, questioned the USTA's system for doling out slots to players who do not qualify by ranking.
35 Articles
35 Articles
The Swiss Stan Wawrinka, winner of three 'Grand Slam' titles, received this Wednesday an invitation letter ('wild card') to j ugar the US Open at age 41, a tournament he won in 2016. 'I am incredibly excited to accept the invitation to the US Open 2026 and look forward to competing again in front
After fan backlash, Stan Wawrinka gets to make farewell appearance at US Open
Stan Wawrinka was left off the initial list of wildcard entries in his farewell season, reigniting fierce debate over which players get the nod -- and which are left out -- in the wildcard process at the Majors.
Stan Wawrinka will be able to say goodbye to the fans of the United States after the organization of the US Open has offered him a last-minute invitation, and for the release of another player, to play the last Grand Slam of the year and the last Grand Slam of his career.After the wild cards had been distributed, whose names for the final table included Gael Monfils and Darwin Blanch, and Kei Nishikori's for the previous one, Patrick Kypson's la…
Miami (USA), 26 Aug (EFE).- The Swiss Stan Wawrinka, winner of three ‘Grand Slam’ titles, received on Wednesday an invitation letter (‘wild card’) to play the US Open at age 41, a tournament he won in 2016. “I am incredibly excited to accept the invitation for the US Open 2026 and look forward to competing again against fans in New York,” said the tennis player in a statement shared by the organization. It will be the last ‘Grand Slam’ for Wawri…
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