Defeated by Jesper de Jong in the first round 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, Stan WawrinkaStan Wawrinka, the 2015 champion, closed his book on Roland-Garros this Monday. At 41, “Stan the Man” left the Parisian clay to a standing ovation, amid pride, emotion, and immense respect.
One last fight, then the exit
Stan Wawrinka didn't win his final match at Roland-Garros. But he left it the way he always has: with heart and his characteristic refusal to bow out quietly. Facing Dutchman Jesper de Jong, who was given a second chance after Arthur Fils withdrew, the Swiss lost in four sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, after a 3-hour, 04-minute battle on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
One last thrill
There was that down-the-line backhand, yet another one. One of those shots that has transcended time like a signature etched in clay. Wawrinka offered the crowd one last gasp, as if his body could still defy time. Three points later, the truth hit him: Roland-Garros had just lost one of its most beloved figures.
Simonne-Mathieu standing for “Stan the Man”
At the end of the match, the score became secondary. The crowd rose to its feet. Paris saluted a champion who had given this tournament some of its finest moments. A ceremony then paid tribute to him, attended by Amélie Mauresmo and Gilles Moretton, with messages from leading figures in tennis.
2015, the year he overturned Paris
It is impossible to watch this farewell without looking back at 2015. That year, Wawrinka defeated Novak Djokovic in the final and lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires after a monumental fortnight.
At 41 years and 57 days old, Wawrinka became one of the oldest players to compete in the men's main draw of Roland-Garros since the tournament's modern era. His presence was already something of a challenge. He knew this edition would be his last in Paris, having announced that 2026 would be his final season on the tour.
“It’s hard to leave you”
The most powerful moment came when he addressed the audience directly. Wawrinka acknowledged the pain of leaving, without hiding it. “It’s hard to leave you”"He blurted out, his voice catching. Then this idea, terribly true: when you love something so much, you never really want to leave. Even when your head knows the choice is right, your heart still drags its feet."
