Wawrinka given emotional send-off after final Grand Slam match at US Open

Stan Wawrinka received an emotional farewell at the US Open on Tuesday after the 41-year-old Swiss played the final Grand Slam match of his career, losing in straight sets to Italy's Matteo Berrettini on the Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows.

Wawrinka, who is retiring at the end of the season and is a three-time major champion, had only received a last-minute wildcard after initially being overlooked; the reprieve came following American Patrick Kypson's withdrawal. The former world number three rearranged travel back to New York after being told on Wednesday, while he was in the Swiss mountains, and thousands filled the 8,000-capacity Grandstand to witness what became his likely Grand Slam goodbye.

In the match, Wawrinka held set points in each of the first two sets—one in the first and three in the second—but Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, fought off those opportunities and then dominated the third set. Berrettini led the applause for Wawrinka afterwards and embraced him at the net.

At the end of the contest Wawrinka, visibly moved, made heart gestures with his fingers, placed his hand over his chest and encouraged the crowd to make more noise before knocking balls into the stands as souvenirs. One group of supporters wore 'Stan the Man' T-shirts and many fans had arrived early, queuing to ensure a place to see what they expected could be his Grand Slam farewell.

Wawrinka received a photo montage of his 2016 US Open triumph from chief executive Craig Tiley on the court, and the reception prompted several public comments from the Swiss veteran. "One of the reasons I played until 41 was to live these moments," he said. "I'm very grateful for this wildcard. It was very important for me to finish here, where I won a Grand Slam 10 years ago. I want to thank you all for all these years."

He also described his reaction to the send-off: he said he was "super grateful" and added, "It's showed me that I did the right thing all those 20 years by always trying to fight, always showing up, always trying to do my best, and always trying to push myself to the limits," followed by, "This is what for me was the most important thing - what I get from the fans when I play."

Wawrinka will end his playing career at the close of this season, having received what he described as a fitting farewell at the venue where he won a Grand Slam title in 2016.