Three-time Grand Slam winner to ASB Classic
- editor59343
- 3 minutes ago
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One men's tennis greatest, Stan Wawrinka, who has won 16 titles including three Grand Slams, has confirmed his entry at the ASB Classic in Auckland in the New Year.
The 40-year-old Wawrinka, who has battled a few injuries the last few years, will add massive interest in his return to the ASB Classic for the first time in nearly two decades.
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The Swiss star, who last played in Auckland as a 21-year-old, before becoming one of the game’s most revered players, is noted for his fierce competitive nature and arguably the best backhand in the business.
ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin was quick to offer Wawrinka one of the remaining wildcard spots for the tournament as the Swiss star returns to the game at the highest levels.
“Of course, we have Venus Williams to play in Auckland, along with Gael Monfils, who will defend his men’s title. And now we add Stan Wawrinka to that list – three truly great players who believe that 40 is the old age of youth.”
Wawrinka played at the ASB Classic in 2006 and 2007 before venturing around the world to become a revered star, winning 16 ATP titles and claiming three Grand Slams at the US Open, Roland Garros and Australian Open, accounting for Novak Djokovic twice and Rafael Nadal in those finals.
The Swiss star appeared in 50 straight Grand Slams before missing the 2017 US Open, reached the quarterfinals 17 times, and scored five wins over World No 1s in the process.
Included in his 16 ATP singles titles were 11 straight wins in finals from 2014 to 2016, and rose to a career high No. 3 in the world in 2014.
His injury-free years ran out when he required two left-knee surgeries in 2017 and two surgeries on his foot in 2021.
“At his best, Stan was able to better all the world’s leading players including the big four. He has always revelled in the biggest matches against the biggest names,” said Lamperin. “We are absolutely thrilled to host him back in Auckland.”
Wawrinka was born in Switzerland with his parents operating an organic farm that employed and supported handicapped people.
He took up the game when he was eight, and left regular schooling at 15 to focus on tennis, turning professional two years later. He was coached in his early years by Frenchman Dimitri Zavialoff and in recent years mostly by former Swedish player, Magnus Norman.
Wawrinka represented Switzerland at three Olympic Games, at Beijing in 2008 where he won the Gold Medal in doubles with Roger Federer; London in 2012 where he was the Swiss flagbearer, and at Paris in 2024. He had qualified for the Rio Games in 2016 but withdrew with injury.
Fellow Swiss superstar Federer is lavish in his praise.
“Stan’s been such a great player throughout his career. He always improved a lot, and kept on working really hard.”
With Nadal, Federer and Andy Murray now retired, Wawrinka and Djokovic remain to carry the flag for their generation. For Wawrinka, while the constant travel required by the ATP Tour has become harder with age, his joy to compete and for push himself in both competition and practice has never faded.
"I know that the day I stop, there will be no comeback. So I want to squeeze it until the end, that's for sure," said Wawrinka.
"Is it going to be a few months, is it going to be one year or two? I don't know, I think the results will tell us. I enjoy it if I feel competitive, if I feel that I can still win some good matches and feel happy with myself. If I don't have the level, this is not something I enjoy too much."
The 2026 ASB Classic takes place with the WTA women’s tournament January 5 to 11 and the ATP men’s tournament from January 12 to 17.
