Stan Wawrinka Expresses Eternal Gratitude to US Open After Being Denied Farewell Wildcard in New York

Stan Wawrinka has shared that his 2016 US Open championship will “forever be one of the greatest moments of my life” after being passed over for a wildcard that would have allowed him a final appearance in New York.

The 41-year-old Swiss veteran is set to retire at the close of the season. Earlier this year, he received wildcard entries to the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while securing his place in the French Open main draw through his ranking.

He advanced to the third round in Melbourne and played a pair of memorable first-round contests at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, ultimately falling in both.

The United States Tennis Association’s decision not to offer a wildcard to the 2016 US Open champion has drawn some criticism. Notably, Wawrinka was within the qualifying cut-off but chose not to enter the qualifying rounds.

BBC Sport has reached out to the USTA for their response.

Even without the wildcard, Wawrinka took to social media to express his appreciation to the tournament and the city of New York.

“When I first arrived in New York from a small farming village in Switzerland, everything felt too big. The city. The noise. The energy. The crowds. The lights,” the three-time Grand Slam champion wrote.

“But, year after year, New York slowly became one of my favourite places in the world.

“This city challenged me. It pushed me. It brought something out of me that few places ever could.

“I experienced some of the strongest emotions of my career here. The battles, the late nights, the incredible atmosphere, the love from the crowd… memories that will stay with me forever.

“Winning the US Open, in the city that never sleeps, will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life.”

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