Stan the Man will say farewell to Flushing Meadows fans.

Richard PagliaroAugust 26, 20262 minute read

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook

Stan the Man will receive a proper Flushing Meadows farewell on the 10th anniversary of his US Open title run.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has been awarded a main-draw singles wild card into the US Open, the USTA announced.

The decision rights a wrong many tennis fans had expressed when men’s wild cards were initially announced.

The 41-year-old Wawrinka, owner of one of the most damaging and fluid one-handed backhands in Open Era history, replaces American Patrick Kypson, who pulled out with injury, as the final wild-card recipient.

The tournament initially came under fire for denying the 2016 US Open champion a wild card. However as men moved into main draw and Kypson withdrew, it created the opening for Wawrinka, fulfilling the wishes of tennis fans around the world.

“I’m incredibly excited to accept the wild card for the 2026 US Open and look forward to competing in front of the fans in New York once again,” Wawrinka said in a statement. 

The man nicknamed Stanimal, now ranked No. 127, is one of only three men in history to defeat Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal in Grand Slam play, joining Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych in achieving that awesome feat.

A decade ago, a bold Wawrinka, who broke down in tears before the 2016 US Open final, regained his composure then went out and shocked Novak Djokovic to capture the Flushing Meadows major. The next day, New York City tabloids celebrated with “Stan the Man” headlines.

Former world No. 3 Wawrinka has 589 career victories to his credit, he’s 11 wins short of a 600th career win.

The three-time Grand Slam champion said pure passion for playing is the driving force in his career which began back in 2002.

“I enjoy what I am doing and enjoy waking up and going to practice and still have the chance to play at such a nice tournament like here,” Wawrinka said. “As long as I am enjoying that, I am going to keep pushing a little bit.

“I think it is amazing to be a tennis player and when I was a kid, I dreamed of doing that as a job. I have had the chance to win many trophies, even many big trophies and I had the chance to achieve more of what I call my dream. I will keep pushing.”