Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion, will retire at the end of 2026, according to Tennis Now. The 40-year-old reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in January 2014 and won 16 career singles titles, including majors at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open. Wawrinka is also known for his one-handed backhand, one of the sport's most distinctive and formidable weapons.
Who else is retiring in 2026?
Wawrinka is part of a significant wave of retirements reshaping professional tennis this year. Gaël Monfils, the French player celebrated for his athleticism and entertainment value, is stepping away. David Goffin of Belgium, who reached No. 7 in the rankings and was a finalist at the 2017 ATP Finals, is also exiting the sport. Romanian Sorana Cirstea, a former No. 21, continues to compete at a high level—currently ranked No. 26—before her planned retirement. Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, a US Open semifinalist in 2018 and former No. 11, is also retiring this year at age 36.
Why this matters for tennis fans
The departures of these accomplished players mark the end of an era for several generations of professionals who shaped modern tennis. Wawrinka's exit is particularly notable given his Grand Slam pedigree and his Olympic gold medal in doubles alongside Roger Federer, as well as his Davis Cup title. The retirements underscore the natural cycle of elite professional sport, where even the most accomplished athletes eventually step aside.
Sources
- Tennis Now: Wawrinka, Monfils, Cirstea and So Many More: Find Out Who's Retiring in 2026. Published 2026-05-27.
Reported from public sources.