Stan Wawrinka has revealed that his old rivals, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, will return to the court for an entertaining doubles match to send him into retirement. The three-time Grand Slam champion, 41, is set to retire at the end of the season and has planned a special one-night-only celebration in Geneva on December 19.
Federer and Murray Return to Court
Since ending their own careers, neither man has spent much time on the match court. Swiss legend Federer has stayed involved in tennis through the Laver Cup, a team tournament he co-founded in 2017. He also played an exhibition match at the Australian Open in January and is due to contest another at the US Open. Meanwhile, Murray has been busy coaching. The former world No. 1 first helped Novak Djokovic early last year and is now coaching countryman Jack Draper for the grass season.
Wawrinka's Farewell Plans
Wawrinka announced his retirement at the end of 2025 and has been enjoying a farewell season. He will play his final Wimbledon after receiving a wildcard into the main draw. The Swiss ace is expected to say goodbye on home soil at the Swiss Indoors Basel in October, but he is also planning the Geneva exhibition titled 'One Last Backhand'. The event will feature Wawrinka, Federer, Murray, and French star Gael Monfils, who is also ending his career this year.
“You see, everything is possible!” Wawrinka laughed. “I wanted to do something special in Switzerland to finish really on a nice note and big party on the court with some friends on the court, with Roger, with Andy, with Gael.” Sharing details, he added: “I’m going to play some singles with Gael, and then some doubles, all four together. I think it was important for me to try to do something special in Switzerland.”
Final Wimbledon Appearance
For now, Wawrinka is focused on his last outing at the All England Club. He faces 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini in a blockbuster first-round match. “I feel first super happy and super grateful to have received the wildcard and the opportunity to play one last time,” he explained. “I know how difficult and how lucky I am that I received the wildcard because for me, for my last year, it's something really special to be able to play here one last time. I think Wimbledon is a dream for every tennis player. Every time you come here, you can feel the history of the game, the history of tennis, and it's really special.”
“I'm happy I'm playing him. We never play each other. He’s for sure one of the best players on grass, and there's not many players in the draw that's made finals here and he's one of them. So it's going to be a big challenge, hopefully on a big court with a great atmosphere. So I'm really looking forward for that match. I think it's going to be a good level.”
Lighthearted Moments
During his last Australian Open appearance in January, the 2014 champion shared a beer on court with tournament director Craig Tiley. As for whether he could have a Pimm’s at Wimbledon, Wawrinka joked: “With me, everything is possible. Anyway, I'm not coming back next year, so they can fine me!”
