Stan Wawrinka has just edged one step closer to retirement after playing at the Monte Carlo Masters for the final time.
Wawrinka didn’t travel to America for Indian Wells and the Miami Open in order to stay fit for the rest of the season, which is his very last in professional tennis.
The 41-year-old lost his opening match in Monaco, losing 7-5, 7-5 to Sebastian Baez after entering the ATP Masters 1000 event as a wildcard.
Wawrinka now has a 6-9 record for the 2026 season following the defeat, after which he shared a very significant retirement update.
Who is your favorite ATP player right now?
Stan Wawrinka undecided over where he could retire
Discussing a potential retirement at his home tournament in Basel, Wawrinka said: “There is [a] big chance there.
“But let’s see.
“Depends what’s the tournament after.
“Last year I played Athens.
“It was [a] great, great, great tournament.
“I really enjoyed that.
“So might play the last one there. We’ll see.”
It will be a sad moment for Wawrinka and world tennis when he finally does retire, but fortunately that moment is some way away.
| Year | Titles | Tournaments |
| 2017 | 1 | Geneva (Outdoor/Clay) |
| 2016 | 4 | US Open (Outdoor/Hard) Geneva (Outdoor/Clay) Dubai (Outdoor/Hard) Chennai (Outdoor/Hard) |
| 2015 | 4 | Tokyo (Outdoor/Hard) Roland Garros (Outdoor/Clay) Rotterdam (Indoor/Hard) Chennai (Outdoor/Hard) |
| 2014 | 3 | ATP Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo (Outdoor/Clay) Australian Open (Outdoor/Hard) Chennai (Outdoor/Hard) |
| 2013 | 1 | Oeiras (Outdoor/Clay) |
| 2011 | 1 | Chennai (Outdoor/Hard) |
| 2010 | 1 | Casablanca (Outdoor/Clay) |
| 2006 | 1 | Umag (Outdoor/Clay) |
Stan Wawrinka confirms his schedule after Monte Carlo Masters exit
Wawrinka was given a warm send-off from Monte Carlo, where he just missed out on fulfilling a career ambition.
The Swiss legend wants to play Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz before hanging up his racket, which would have been possible had he beaten Baez.
But further opportunities could arrive throughout the rest of the season, where Wawrinka will be very busy.
Confirming his schedule, he said: “I’m playing next week Barcelona, then probably Rome (qualifying), Geneva.
“I will see if I have the chance to play Roland Garros.
“I would love to play something on the grass.
“Hopefully Wimbledon.
“Then I play Gstaad, Estoril.
“Hopefully I can play US Open.
“We will see if I play a tournament before, Cincinnati (qualifying) or maybe a challenger. “After, we’ll see.
“Basel, for sure.
“Lyon also.”
You can bring one tennis legend out of retirement. Who do you pick and why?
It’s a packed schedule for ATP icon Wawrinka, who isn’t slowing down despite turning 41 late last month, which is fantastic news for tennis fans.
He’s clearly looking to live his best life on the court before retiring, which is a very admirable approach from the legendary figure.
Notably, the three-time Grand Slam champion has already achieved one of his aims, having recently cracked the ATP top 100 again.
Wawrinka has since fallen to 104th, but a top 100 return definitely looks possible for the former world number three.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
