No Farewell Wildcard for Stan Wawrinka: Swiss Star Faces US Open Qualifying

Stan Wawrinka's hopes of entering the US Open main draw through a wildcard have been dashed, with the USTA instead using its remaining invitations on American players as the three-time Grand Slam champion prepares for his final season.

The 41-year-old had publicly requested a wildcard for what is expected to be his final appearance at Flushing Meadows, but was overlooked even after an additional spot became available when Martin Damm moved into the main draw directly.

Wawrinka will now face the prospect of qualifying for the US Open, unless a late withdrawal opens up a direct route into the main draw.

Why did the US Open leave Wawrinka out?

The USTA's wildcard allocation has largely prioritised American players, particularly younger prospects, junior and college pathways and players emerging through domestic programmes.

Several of the men's wildcards were also effectively tied to reciprocal arrangements with other national federations. Gael Monfils and Alexei Popyrin, for instance, entered through arrangements involving the French and Australian federations.

That left limited room for discretionary selections.

Michael Zheng, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny and Jack Kennedy were among the American players initially awarded wildcards, while Damm also had one before moving into the main draw directly.

Rather than transferring Damm's vacated wildcard to an international veteran such as Wawrinka, the USTA handed it to 18-year-old American Darwin Blanch.

Another remaining spot eventually went to Patrick Kypson, the highest-ranked American outside the main draw at No. 115, according to the reports provided.

The decisions have inevitably intensified the debate around Wawrinka's omission, given his history at the tournament and the fact that he is approaching the end of his career.

Stan Wawrinka had specifically asked for a wildcard

The decision is particularly notable because Wawrinka had already made his intentions clear.

In July, the Swiss confirmed that he had requested a US Open wildcard and expressed his hope of returning to New York for one final appearance.

That request ultimately went unanswered.

Wawrinka's case was strengthened by his history at Flushing Meadows. He won the tournament in 2016, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final, and also reached the semi-finals in 2013 and 2015.

The US Open is also his most successful Grand Slam by winning percentage, at more than 74%.

However, past success does not guarantee a wildcard under the USTA's selection process. With a limited number of discretionary places and an emphasis on domestic players and development pathways, Wawrinka's three-major resume was not enough to secure one.

Why was Wawrinka's extra chance not used?

There was renewed hope for Wawrinka when Damm moved into the main draw directly.

His wildcard had originally been part of the allocation, meaning another spot became available. That appeared to create an opportunity for Wawrinka, with speculation also surrounding other established players such as Grigor Dimitrov.

Instead, the USTA redirected the place to Blanch.

That decision reinforced the perception that the tournament was prioritising the development of American talent over giving a farewell opportunity to an established international champion.

Wawrinka was eventually left competing for the remaining options alongside other experienced players, while the available invitations went elsewhere.

Stan Wawrinka could face US Open qualifying for the first time in 22 years

The omission could have a significant consequence for Wawrinka's final Grand Slam campaign.

If he does not enter the main draw through a late withdrawal, he will have to go through qualifying at Flushing Meadows.

That would be his first US Open qualifying appearance since 2004.

It would also mark his first Grand Slam qualifying campaign since the 2005 Australian Open.

Wawrinka is currently ranked outside the top 120, leaving him dependent on either a wildcard, a late opening in the main draw or success through qualifying to extend his final US Open campaign.

For a player who lifted the trophy at the same tournament a decade ago, the prospect of returning through qualifying is a stark contrast to the farewell many expected.

What happens next for Stan Wawrinka?

US Open qualifying begins on Monday, meaning Wawrinka's route into the tournament should become clear quickly.

The Swiss has already indicated that 2026 will be his final season, making the US Open particularly significant as his last Grand Slam appearance.

For now, however, there will be no wildcard farewell on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Instead, Wawrinka may have to earn his final US Open appearance the hard way.