Stan Wawrinka's career ends with loss in Basel
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has played his final match, losing to Jiri Lehecka in Basel on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport. The 41-year-old Swiss star lost 7-5, 7-6. Only BBC Sport has reported this so far, and no other outlet has confirmed it yet.
Stan Wawrinka's playing career is over after a loss in front of a home crowd in Basel on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport.
The 41-year-old Swiss star lost 7-5, 7-6 to Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic. BBC Sport reports it was the final tour-level match of his career. Wawrinka, his family and his team wiped away tears after the match.
His career lasted 23 years and 985 matches, BBC Sport reports. He won three Grand Slam titles.
"All I wanted in my career was to give everything, have no regrets, to always fight," Wawrinka said in remarks published on the ATP website.
Wawrinka was a late bloomer. He won his first major at 28, at the 2014 Australian Open. He beat Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and top seed Rafael Nadal in the final.
At the 2015 French Open, he beat fellow Swiss Roger Federer and then Djokovic in the final. His last major came at the 2016 US Open, where he beat Djokovic for the title.
He rose as high as third in the world. BBC Sport reports he spent 267 weeks in the top 10 and won 16 tour-level titles in all.
Djokovic, who practiced with him in Basel, called him a "legend." "He had it all," Djokovic said.
Wawrinka said the day after would feel like a hangover, "more because of the sadness." He added, "But at some point you have to close the book."
What we know: Wawrinka lost to Lehecka in Basel in what BBC Sport calls his final match.
What we don't: Only BBC Sport has reported this so far. NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.
Where outlets agree This is one outlet's report, from BBC Sport, which says the Basel loss was Wawrinka's final match.
Where they differ BBC Sport reports his career has ended, and Wawrinka's own published remarks speak of closing the book.