Three-time Grand Slam champion admits he is close to retiring from tennis, ‘the end is coming’

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There aren’t many Grand Slam champions left on tour, and another is edging closer to retirement…

In recent years, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray all retired from tennis, a trio that combined for 45 Grand Slam titles.

US Open champions Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro also called it quits, leaving just six major champions active on tour.

The oldest of the six updated fans on his retirement plans, after winning his fourth ATP match of the season, at age 40.

Stan Wawrinka says it’s difficult to make ‘long-term plans’ at 40 as retirement beckons

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles between 2014 and 2016, a remarkable achievement given the competition he faced.

Now ranked outside the world’s top 100, Wawrinka continues to give his all on tour and has found some late-season form, winning a match in Basel and now in Athens.

Awarded a wild card into the all-new Hellenic Championship, Wawrinka defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, 2-6, 7-6, 7-5, to set up a second-round match with ATP Finals chasing Lorenzo Musetti.

Speaking to the media after the match, Wawrinka shared an update on his future, as reported by SDNA.

“After 40, it’s difficult to make long-term plans, but I would like to play in some tournaments next year,” he said.

“I will definitely try to do that.”

Wawrinka insisted that he still loves tennis, despite struggling to win ATP Tour matches in 2025.

Stan Wawrinka’s 2025 ATP Tour wins

“At the end of the day, I love tennis, I love the feelings it gives me. Having the opportunity to play in front of people, in front of fans who give you energy on the court, to still be able to compete a little with the best in the world, that’s my motivation,” he said.

“When I started, my dream was just to become a professional, maybe one day to get into the Top 100. And now I still have the opportunity to play in beautiful tournaments, in front of people, in different cities and parts of the world.”

He did, however, recognize that he likely won’t be playing on the ATP Tour much longer.

“I want to enjoy it as much as I can, but I also know that the end is coming,” said Wawrinka.

“So I’m trying to push myself to the limit and see how far I can go.”

The world number 159 is certainly pushing himself in Athens, and fans of the Swiss star would no doubt love to see him pick up a 64th career top-10 win, when he plays Musetti on Wednesday, November 5.

The six ‘active’ men’s Grand Slam singles champions

Wawrinka is one of just six active players on the ATP Tour, who have won at least one major title.

The 40-year-old won his first major at the Australian Open in 2014, defeating Nadal in the final.

He added a second to his collection at the French Open a year later, stopping Djokovic from completing his Career Grand Slam in Paris.

Then in 2016, he won his third major, defeating Djokovic once more, this time in the final of the US Open.

The likelihood is that Wawrinka’s days of winning Grand Slams are over, but only time will tell if we will see the 40-year-old compete in his 78th major tournament at next year’s Australian Open, which begins on Monday, January 12, 2026.