Stan Wawrinka's professional tennis career has come to an end, but the Swiss star leaves the sport with a legacy defined by resilience, determination and some of the most memorable performances of his generation.

The 41-year-old played his final professional match at the Swiss Indoors Basel on Tuesday, losing 7-5, 7-6(2) to Czech eighth seed Jiri Lehecka in front of his home supporters. Although Wawrinka could not finish his career with a victory, the occasion marked the end of a journey spanning more than two decades at the highest level.

Reflecting on how he hopes to be remembered, Wawrinka said his priority had always been to give his best and leave the sport without regrets.

"For me, all I wanted in my career was to give everything, to have no regrets, to always fight, to always give 100% in every match," he told the ATP Tour.

He explained that this approach came from respecting not only himself, but also his opponents, tournaments and fans. For Wawrinka, that commitment was the most important part of his career and the right way to walk away from professional tennis.

Wawrinka announced last December that the 2026 season would be his last. His farewell ended in Basel, allowing him to share the final chapter of his career with the Swiss fans who had supported him throughout his time on tour.

The former world No. 3 retires with three Grand Slam singles titles and 16 ATP Tour titles. He won his first major at the 2014 Australian Open, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final, before beating Novak Djokovic to capture the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open crowns. In each of those three finals, he overcame a player ranked world No. 1 at the time.

His achievements were especially remarkable during an era dominated by Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. While those champions collected the majority of the biggest titles, Wawrinka repeatedly challenged them on the sport's grandest stages and proved he could compete with the best.

Beyond his Grand Slam success, Wawrinka partnered Federer to win men's doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also helped Switzerland secure its first Davis Cup title in 2014, adding another major achievement to his international career.

Wawrinka became widely recognised for his powerful one-handed backhand, which allowed him to strike winners from difficult positions and trouble even the strongest opponents. His aggressive playing style, combined with his ability to raise his level during major tournaments, made him one of the most formidable players of his generation.

Although his final match ended in defeat, Wawrinka's career was never defined by a single result. His three Grand Slam victories, Olympic gold medal and contributions to Swiss tennis reflect a player who consistently pushed himself against the toughest competition.

As he leaves professional tennis, Wawrinka's message remains simple: compete with commitment, give everything on court and have no regrets when it is time to say goodbye.

Source: [ATP Tour](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/wawrinka-legacy-feature-basel-2026)