Stan Wawrinka has received a wild-card entry into the upcoming U.S. Open, ensuring his participation in at least one more tournament on the Grand Slam circuit.
The late change comes after American player Patrick Kypson withdrew from the event, opening a spot that U.S. Open organizers offered to the Swiss veteran.
Initially, Wawrinka was not included on the list of wild-card recipients, a decision that surprised many given his history at the tournament, including his 2016 victory over Novak Djokovic. Following the initial report, Wawrinka posted a reflective message on social media expressing his deep connection to New York and the U.S. Open.
"When I first arrived in New York from a small farming village in Switzerland, everything felt too big The city. The noise.The energy,” Wawrinka wrote. “The crowds. The lights💥. But year after year New York slowly became one of my favorite places in the world🌎🙌🏻 This city challenged me. It pushed me. It brought something out of me that few places ever could⚡️ I experienced some of the strongest emotions of my career here. The battles, the late nights, the incredible atmosphere, the love from the crowd…memories that will stay with me forever 🙏🏻💭🗽 Winning the US Open, in the city that never sleeps, will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life 🏆🌇 Thank you, New York🗽Thank you, @usopen 🎾 Thank you to every single fan who supported me, pushed me, believed in me and shared all these emotions with me over the years🙏🏻🫶🏻 Forever grateful. Forever New York🗽"
Wawrinka, 41, has competed in the first three Grand Slams of the season, reaching the third round at the Australian Open and falling in the first round at the French Open and Wimbledon. Throughout his career, he has faced formidable opponents like Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Wawrinka has secured three Grand Slam titles, winning the Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open between 2014 and 2016.
He will learn his first-round opponent when the U.S. Open draw is conducted on Thursday.