The US Open has finally come to its senses, but the damage to its reputation may already be done. After initially leaving three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka off the men's singles wild card list, the tournament reversed course on Wednesday, granting the 41-year-old Swiss star a spot in the main draw. The move comes after Patrick Kypson withdrew due to injury, opening a slot that Wawrinka will now fill.
Wawrinka, who captured the title in Flushing Meadows in 2016, is retiring at the end of this season, making this his final appearance at the tournament. The initial snub triggered a wave of outrage from fans who couldn't fathom why a beloved champion was being left out. The USTA's decision to reverse course has done little to quell the criticism, with many pointing out that it took an injury to a lesser-known player to correct what they see as a glaring oversight.
A Champion's Farewell
Wawrinka himself took the news in stride, posting a heartfelt message to social media that reflected on his deep connection to New York. "When I first arrived in New York from a small farming village in Switzerland, everything felt too big," he wrote. "The city. The noise. The energy. The crowds. The lights. But year after year New York slowly became one of my favorite places in the world."
He went on to describe the city as a place that "challenged" and "pushed" him, evoking memories of epic battles and late-night matches under the lights. "Winning the US Open, in the city that never sleeps, will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life," he added. His words captured the emotional weight of what promises to be an emotional farewell.
Fans Not Ready to Forgive
While Wawrinka's inclusion is welcome news, the fans' frustration remains palpable. Social media erupted with comments, some celebrating the reversal and others demanding accountability from the tournament organizers. "The one-handed backhand under the lights in New York one more time? Yes, please," one fan wrote, while another fumed, "It took Patrick Kypson, a nobody in tennis to get injured before you granted a wild card to a US OPEN CHAMPION and a 3 Time Grand Slam winner."
Another commenter bluntly stated, "You can't act like you love him now, where was this a week ago? You guys watched Stan go home." The sentiment was echoed by others who declared, "The people won," but the underlying frustration suggests a lingering distrust of the USTA's decision-making process.
This isn't the first time the US Open has faced criticism for its wild card selections. Earlier this year, the tournament was also under fire for its handling of another veteran player's entry, and fans have questioned the transparency of the selection process. The initial backlash was swift, and this reversal may not fully repair the damage.
What's Next for Wawrinka?
Wawrinka will now have the opportunity to close out his US Open career on his own terms. The main draw begins on Sunday, August 30, and fans will be eager to see if the veteran can conjure one more magical run. His powerful one-handed backhand and relentless fighting spirit have made him a fan favorite, and the New York crowd is sure to give him a rousing reception.
The USTA has not commented on the backlash, but the decision to grant Wawrinka a wild card is a clear acknowledgment of his legacy. As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on the Swiss star, who has already proven he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. Whether he can replicate his 2016 heroics remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the US Open will be the poorer for his absence when he finally hangs up his racket.
For now, fans can focus on the positive—a chance to see a legend one last time. And perhaps the USTA has learned a valuable lesson about respecting the game's greats. The controversy over rules in other sports shows that when tournaments make questionable calls, the backlash can be fierce. But in this case, the outcome is a win for tennis and for the fans who love it.
