Wawrinka bids farewell to Dubai after 'one last chance' vs. Medvedev
Stan Wawrinka was honoured under the desert sun on Wednesday afternoon, when he played his final match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The Swiss wild card, who triumphed at the ATP 500 event in 2016, fell to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets before staying on court for a touching farewell ceremony. With 2026 marking his final season on the ATP Tour, the 40-year-old soaked in the applause from the crowd.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak and ATP CEO Eno Polo were among those on centre court to present Wawrinka with a traditional dagger, a commemorative cake and a framed photo featuring memories from his appearances in Dubai.
“I came here for the first time more than 15 years ago and I always feel really welcome,” said Wawrinka, who owns a 6-4 record in Dubai, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. “It was amazing for me to have one last chance, one last opportunity, to play here. I will always have amazing memories from here [at] the tournament.”
Wawrinka made his first appearance in Dubai in 2006, when he fell to countryman Roger Federer, which marked just the second of 26 Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings between the two players.
Beyond Dubai, Wawrinka built a respected career, during which he rose to a career-high No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2014 and won three major titles. He has captured 16 tour-level trophies so far and, as he embarks on the closing chapter of his professional journey, he continues to embrace some of his most cherished moments: the roar of the crowd and the appreciation of fans around the world.
“It’s my last time here, but I always had amazing support from you guys,” Wawrinka said to the crowd. “It’s always special. The reason why I kept playing for so long is because of those emotions that I receive on court, but I think at 40 it’s time to play for one last year. I’m enjoying it a lot and hopefully I will see some of you throughout the year.”
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