Stan Wawrinka’s Epic Wimbledon Upset: 39-Year-Old Swiss Maestro Stuns Top Seed

Wimbledon, London – Swiss crowd-favorite Stan Wawrinka delivered one last dose of late-career theatre on Tuesday, pushing No. 12 seed Matteo Berrettini through four nerve-shredding tie-break sets before bowing out 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (18-16), 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4) in a first-round epic on Centre Court. Although the 41-year-old three-time major champion has made clear that 2026 is his farewell season, Tuesday’s performance showed the trademark backhand and fighting spirit that earned him the nickname “Stan the Man.” Wawrinka fired 21 aces and racked up 63 winners, repeatedly silencing the younger Italian’s booming serve with vintage backhand returns that drew roars from a capacity crowd. Key moments • First-set flashback: Wawrinka saved two set points before uncorking a backhand return winner to claim the opener, triggering a standing ovation. • Marathon second-set breaker: Berrettini needed 20 minutes and six set points to level the match, seizing momentum with a trademark forehand drive. • Physical toll: After 3 hours 54 minutes, Wawrinka visibly grimaced while stretching out his surgically repaired left knee, yet still forced a fourth tie-break. What it means 1. Ranking buffer: Despite the loss, Wimbledon’s first-round prize money keeps Wawrinka inside the Top 120 and virtually guarantees direct entry into the US Open, slated to be his career’s last Grand Slam. 2. Berrettini on alert: The Italian, a 2021 finalist here, advances but faces questions about stamina after accumulating nearly four hours on court before even reaching round two. 3. Farewell tour continues: Wawrinka is scheduled for the Gstaad clay swing and Cincinnati hard courts before a possible final bow in New York. Player reactions • “Stan showed again why he’s a legend,” Berrettini said courtside. “Every point felt like a match point.” • Wawrinka, fighting back tears, told Swiss TV, “If this is the last time I walk off Wimbledon’s Centre Court, I did it my way—with a battle.” Bigger picture Earlier this spring Wawrinka closed the chapter on Roland Garros—where he won the title in 2015—after an emotional first-round loss followed by a lap of honor that left even rivals applauding in the players’ box. Combined with today’s valiant effort, the Swiss veteran is cementing a farewell narrative that is resonating with tennis romantics worldwide and feeding surging search interest for “Wawrinka Wimbledon 2026,” “Wawrinka retirement,” and “Wawrinka Berrettini tie-break.” With the grass-court drama now in the books, expect digital buzz to spike again when the Lausanne native returns home for the clay of Gstaad, where Swiss fans are already snapping up tickets to witness a final glimpse of that one-handed backhand in person.