Stan Wawrinka played his final match at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 on Monday, at the very venue where he lifted the trophy in 2014 by defeating compatriot Roger Federer in the final. At 41 years old, the Swiss was eliminated in the first round by Argentina's Sebastian Baez 7-5, 7-5, in a match brimming with emotion.
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The opening set perfectly illustrated the duality of Wawrinka's 2026 version. Trailing 4-1, Baez found the resources to fight back and claim the set. In the second, it was Wawrinka who staged the comeback from 5-1 down, breaking the Argentine twice to level at 5-5, before ultimately falling short. An emotional rollercoaster worthy of a player who has never done anything by the book.
"Of course these days are really, really difficult, but in the end it's worth it. I'm passionate about the sport. I love what I do," Wawrinka said after the match (according to ATP.com). Simple words that encapsulate an extraordinary career: three Grand Slam titles, a Masters 1000 conquered on this very ground, and a unique ability to elevate his level in the biggest moments.
Monte Carlo holds a special place in the heart of the Swiss veteran. It was here, in April 2014, that he produced one of the most memorable feats in Swiss tennis history by defeating Federer in the final. Twelve years later, the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club hosted his final Monegasque forehands with the reverence owed to a champion.
Wawrinka's 2026 season, his last on tour, is more than just a nostalgic farewell tour. At the Australian Open, he reached the third round, becoming the oldest man to achieve that feat since 1978. The competitive fire still burns within. "I managed at one point in my career to really reach the maximum I could by winning Grand Slams, winning Masters 1000s," he reflected with characteristic self-awareness.
The Swiss will continue his farewell tour at upcoming events before hanging up his racket at the end of the season. Every match could be his last, and each one carries that particular intensity that only Wawrinka knows how to bring to tennis.
