Wawrinka receives US Open wildcard for final Grand Slam

Stan Wawrinka, the 41-year-old Swiss tennis star, will make history at the 2026 US Open after receiving a last-minute wildcard entry, setting the stage for his final Grand Slam appearance before retirement. The three-time major champion was initially denied a wildcard but was granted a spot in the main draw on August 27, after American player Patrick Kypson withdrew due to an injury. Wawrinka is now set to become the first man to play main-draw matches at all four Grand Slams after turning 40. The turn of events followed a week of uncertainty for the former US Open champion. After being left off the initial wildcard list, Wawrinka had returned to Switzerland, believing his Grand Slam career was over. He had not entered the qualifying rounds and, ranked 127th, did not qualify automatically for the main draw. "For me, it was in my mind the end of my Grand Slam career," Wawrinka told reporters. "I was just sad not to be able to say goodbye to New York and to the US Open." The opportunity arose when the USTA, which had held one final men's wildcard spot, offered it to Wawrinka following Kypson's withdrawal.