Stan Wawrinka will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 ATP season…
The three-time Grand Slam champion is about to embark on his final-ever ATP Tour campaign, aged 40.
During his career, Wawrinka has won 16 titles, the Davis Cup, and an Olympic gold medal alongside Roger Federer.
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He hasn’t, however, been able to add to his trophy tally in recent years, last winning a title at the 2017 Geneva Open.
That’s not to say he can’t add another title to his collection in 2025, as the Swiss star has a golden opportunity to do just that in January.
Stan Wawrinka has a chance to win the United Cup with Switzerland
18 teams will battle it out in the fourth edition of the United Cup.
- USA
- Canada
- Italy
- Australia
- Great Britain
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- Poland
- Spain
- Czechia
- Greece
- Japan
- Argentina
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Norway
- China
Team USA, Italy, and Australia will head Down Under as the title favorites, but Switzerland have a strong squad and shouldn’t be overlooked.
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Wawrinka has plenty of experience and has already won a team event with Switzerland, lifting the Davis Cup title in 2014.
It’s on the WTA side that Switzerland really excels, however, with Belinda Bencic leading the way.
Returning from maternity leave, Bencic jumped up 902 places in the world rankings in 2025.
She also won two titles and reached the Wimbledon semifinals, reminding fans just how talented she is.
Team Switzerland at the 2026 United Cup
- Stan Wawrinka (ATP)
- Jakub Paul (ATP)
- Luca Castelnuovo (ATP)
- Belinda Bencic (WTA)
- Naima Karamoko (WTA)
They don’t have the same depth as some of the other teams in the competition, but thanks to the United Cup format, that might not matter.
Each tie consists of three matches: an ATP singles match, a WTA singles match, and a mixed doubles match.
Therefore, Wawrinka and Bencic could play all the required matches and leave their lower-ranked teammates to cheer on from the sidelines.
It remains to be seen if they will, but it will be Wawrinka’s decision, given that he is Switzerland’s team captain.
Who will Switzerland play at the United Cup?
Switzerland have been placed in Group C alongside France and Italy.
Playing their games in Perth, Team Switzerland will take on France in their opening match.
Switzerland vs France – January 3 (Expected matches)
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) vs Leolia Jeanjean (France)
- Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) vs Arthur Rinderknech (France)
- Mixed doubles – TBD
Bencic would be the favorite against Leolia Jeanjean (Lois Boisson’s replacement), although Wawrinka would likely enter as the underdog against Shanghai Masters finalist Arthur Rinderknech.
If the tie were to be level at 1-1, Wawrinka could return alongside Bencic for the mixed doubles.
Regardless of what happens against France, Switzerland will play again just one day later.
Switzerland vs Italy – January 4 (Expected matches)
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) vs Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
- Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) vs Flavio Cobolli (Italy)
- Mixed doubles – TBD
Bencic and Jasmine Paolini will undoubtedly be one to watch, as fans won’t want to miss two of the best players in women’s tennis battling it out.
Then Wawrinka will take on Italy’s Davis Cup hero, Flavio Cobolli, who enjoyed a thrilling end to his 2025 campaign.
If Switzerland win their group or finish as the best runner-up from Group A, C, or E, they will advance to the semifinals of the United Cup.
The Group C winners are scheduled to play the winners of Group E on January 7.
Group E consists of Great Britain, Greece, and Japan.
Only time will tell how far Wawrinka and Switzerland will go at the United Cup, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
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