The US Open is catching heat after quietly leaving Stan Wawrinka off the main draw wild card list for the 2026 tournament. The 41-year-old Swiss star, who famously lifted the trophy in New York back in 2016, is set to retire at the end of the 2026 season, making this his final chance to compete at Flushing Meadows.
Wawrinka's iconic one-handed backhand has made him a fan favorite for nearly two decades. While he's no longer a top contender, his matches still draw big crowds and electric atmospheres. So when the US Open announced its wild card selections on Saturday without Wawrinka's name, the tennis world took notice—and not in a good way.
It's unclear whether Wawrinka declined a potential wild card or was simply overlooked. Either way, the reaction from fans and insiders has been swift and harsh.
Unless Stan Wawrinka didn’t want the wild card for some reason… this is shameful. He is not in the qualies list, so Wimbledon was his last Slam.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 15, 2026
Tennis journalist José Morgado didn't mince words, calling the snub “shameful” on X (formerly Twitter). The Tennis Letter echoed the sentiment, noting, “I know there are a lot of people in New York who wanted to say goodbye to the 2016 champion. A big loss for the tournament.”
Fans were even more direct. One pointed out the contrast with Venus Williams, who received a wild card despite an 0-11 record this season and a 13-match losing streak dating back to last year. “Former champion who is still ranked 125 and will be retiring at the end of the season? Embarrassing from the USTA,” another fan wrote.
Wawrinka, who has been grinding away on the Challenger tour and still delivering thrilling matches, seems to have been overlooked despite his resume. The snub is especially puzzling given that other veterans like Gael Monfils and Kei Nishikori—the 2014 US Open finalist—were handed wild cards, with Nishikori getting one for the qualifying tournament.
The USTA has yet to explain why Wawrinka was excluded. As the tournament approaches, fans are left hoping for an update—or perhaps a late change of heart.
This controversy adds to a growing list of sports decisions that have sparked fan outrage, but for tennis purists, this one hits especially hard. Wawrinka's legacy at the US Open is undeniable, and many believe he deserved a proper farewell on the sport's biggest stage.
With his retirement looming, the question now is whether this is truly the end of Wawrinka's Grand Slam journey—or if the US Open will reconsider before the main draw begins.
