The Swiss player gets an unexpected chance in New York during his farewell tour.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka will, surprisingly, compete at the US Open after all—even though he had already withdrawn from the tournament. The 41-year-old Swiss player had initially not been considered by the organizers in New York when wild cards were awarded. The injury-related withdrawal of American Patrick Kypson has made Wawrinka’s final appearance at Flushing Meadows possible.
Wawrinka, who is playing his final season and won the top event in the Big Apple in 2016, expressed his gratitude on Tuesday with warm words for the tournament, the city of New York, and his fans in the metropolis. “This city has challenged me. It has inspired me,” he wrote on social media: “It has brought out something in me that few places ever manage to do. Here, I have experienced some of the most intense emotions of my career.” He concluded his message with “forever grateful. Forever New York.”
Now, the former world No. 3 with the unique one-handed backhand will take the court at the US Open once again. He is “incredibly excited” about this unexpected opportunity, Wawrinka said, according to the tournament organizers.
