A Door Creaks Open at Flushing Meadows
Stan Wawrinka is in the final chapter of his storied career, having confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. Despite receiving wildcards into events across the entire tour this year, including all three Grand Slams held before the US Open, Wimbledon, and a handful of Masters events, the Swiss legend had yet to secure a spot in the main draw at Flushing Meadows. That situation has now shifted considerably.
Withdrawals from Ethan Quinn and Gabriel Diallo opened the door for Martin Damm Jr and Wu Yibing to enter the draw. Damm Jr had already been granted a wildcard, meaning his direct entry into the main draw freed up that wildcard allocation. Where there was previously just one remaining wildcard spot with both Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov waiting, there are now two. The math suddenly works in both players' favor.
A Champion Deserving One Last Stage
Wawrinka's record at the US Open makes a sentimental argument all its own. He lifted the trophy in 2016, defeating Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori, and Novak Djokovic across an extraordinary run to the title. That win gave him the third and final Grand Slam of his career.
At Wimbledon this year, the draw handed him a brutal opener against Matteo Berrettini, and he exited in the first round. Dimitrov fared much better, reaching the fourth round before falling to wildcard Arthur Fery. Now both players look set to get another shot at Grand Slam glory before the curtain closes.
For Wawrinka, this could be his final Grand Slam appearance ever, and TennisDraw users have been closely tracking his tournament path as part of their US Open bracket predictions.
