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Former champion Wawrinka bids farewell to US Open after missing out on wildcard Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka bid an emotional farewell to Flushing Meadows after being denied a wild card into the main draw, ending hopes of a final appearance at the year’s last Grand Slam in what he has said will be his final season. The Swiss veteran competed at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2026 on wild cards but will miss the US Open, where he won the title in 2016, depriving him of a farewell appearance at the year’s final Major. The 41-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion was not among the final wild cards announced over the weekend and will also not compete in this week’s qualifying tournament. “This city challenged me. It pushed me. It brought something out of me that few places ever could,” Wawrinka wrote on Instagram. “I experienced some of the strongest emotions of my career here. Winning the US Open in the city that never sleeps will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life.” French veteran Gael Monfils, who has also said he will retire at the end of the season, received a reciprocal wild card, which is granted by the national federations. The former world No. 6 is ranked 307th, compared to Wawrinka at 127th. On the women’s side, two-time US Open champion Venus Williams was also awarded a wild card for the 2026 tournament. The US Open men’s and women’s singles main draw begins on Aug 30. REUTERS