Curtain falls in New York, "Stan The Man" officially bids farewell to the Grand Slam stage

(Tennis Results) Stan Wawrinka ends his two-decade Grand Slam journey after a loss to Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the 2026 US Open.

Stan Wawrinka entered the last Grand Slam match of his career with high determination, but could not create a perfect ending. The 41-year-old player lost to Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-7(3), 0-6 in the first round of the 2026 US Open.

In front of packed stands at Grandstand Court, Wawrinka had several chances to change the situation. The 2016 champion was trailing in the opening set, but unexpectedly broke serve to love when Berrettini was on the verge of closing the set.

Wawrinka then earned a set point in a long game, but could not convert. Berrettini saved the day after four deuces, before winning three consecutive points in the tie-break to close out the first set.

Opportunities continued to appear for "Stan The Man" in the second set. After a short rain delay, the Swiss player quickly secured a break and once again took the advantage.

However, Wawrinka missed a total of seven break points, including three set points. Berrettini persistently saved them, broke back, and then won the tie-break to move closer to a second-round spot.

Wawrinka's efforts could not be sustained in the final set. Berrettini earned three breaks and won 6-0, thus ending his opponent's 20-year Grand Slam journey.

"It's been 20 years since I first came here. It's been wonderful to feel the New York atmosphere over the years. I have always found a way to play my best tennis at this place,"Wawrinka shared emotionally.

The 41-year-old player was initially not given a wildcard into the main draw, despite having submitted a request to the organizers. This decision sparked a wave of protests from fans, before he was given the opportunity after Patrick Kypson withdrew due to injury.

"One of the reasons I played until age 41 was to experience moments like this. I am very grateful for the wildcard. Ending my career at the place where I won a Grand Slam ten years ago means a lot to me,"the former world number three added.

Wawrinka leaves the Grand Slam stage with three titles at the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 Roland Garros, and 2016 US Open. In an era dominated by the "Big Four", he carved out his own place with his tenacity in big matches and his famous one-handed backhand.

His graceful swing and powerful down-the-line backhands have become iconic images associated with "Stan The Man". He once defeated Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final, before beating Novak Djokovic twice in the finals of Roland Garros and the US Open.

Berrettini will face Mariano Navone in the second round. The Argentine player just caused the biggest upset of the tournament by eliminating fourth seed Djokovic in five sets.

Wawrinka's defeat further highlights the feeling that an era is gradually coming to an end in New York. Djokovic stopped in the first round,while Kei Nishikori could not make it to the main draw after losing to his younger compatriot Rei Sakamoto in qualifying.

Like Wawrinka, the 2014 US Open runner-up will also retire at the end of the season. This year's US Open thus becomes the Grand Slam farewell for two names who left a special mark during the golden era of men's tennis.