Before his last tournament Wawrinka: I look forward to all the emotions

Stan Wawrinka will conclude his professional tennis career at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, Switzerland. The 41-year-old former world number three is set to play his 985th and likely final singles match on Tuesday against Czech player Jiri Lehecka. Wawrinka arrived in Basel on Sunday evening and trained with Novak Djokovic immediately upon arrival. A farewell ceremony honoring the Swiss star is scheduled for Monday evening, followed by his competitive debut the next day. The tournament director, Roger Brennwald, confirmed that Djokovic requested to attend the tribute, highlighting the respect among top players. The decision to end his tour in Basel originated from a phone call Wawrinka made to Brennwald earlier this year. The tournament boss stated he was honored by the request and agreed to organize a ceremony. This marks Wawrinka’s 19th participation in the event. His history at the Swiss Indoors includes reaching the semifinals in both 2006 and 2011. However, he has also faced early exits frequently, losing in the opening round during nine of his appearances, including his debut in 2003 against Tomas Zib. Despite these setbacks, Wawrinka noted that he has achieved significant results there while also experiencing major disappointments. He expressed happiness at being able to finish his career in his home country, citing the consistent support from fans who have traveled from around the world over the years. Djokovic, who is competing in the tournament, has been present since Sunday. Brennwald invited him to his box for the Monday ceremony, where other sporting figures such as Martina Hingis and Dario Cologna are also expected to sit. Wawrinka described his approach to the final week as professional, stating he treats the matches just as he always has. He emphasized the need to maintain physical and technical levels despite the increasing difficulty of staying competitive at ages 38 through 41. He acknowledged that maintaining balance between physical fitness and specific tennis skills became harder as he aged. Emotions are already prominent for Wawrinka, who described a mix of sadness, joy, and satisfaction. He admitted he does not know how he will handle the feelings during the event but intends to accept them rather than fight them. He questioned whether he would maintain his usual emotional control given the significance of saying goodbye to the game he loves. Family and friends are expected to fill the stands on Tuesday. Wawrinka did not count exactly how many supporters would be present but noted their importance throughout his career. Brennwald reflected on their relationship, which began in 2003 when he congratulated the shy young Wawrinka after winning the Roland Garros junior title in Paris. He described Wawrinka as a relaxed person off the court but extremely focused during competition. Respect was cited as Wawrinka’s primary principle. Brennwald noted that Wawrinka remained humble and composed even during losses, avoiding any outbursts of frustration. Although Wawrinka often played in the shadow of compatriot Roger Federer, particularly in Basel, Brennwald observed that Wawrinka stayed true to himself. Both men share a cultural connection, with Brennwald noting his own upbringing in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, fostering a similar mentality and understanding between them. The schedule for the event includes live coverage of the ceremony on Monday at 18:10 local time, followed by a singles match. Wawrinka’s match against Lehecka will take place on Tuesday. After the tournament concludes, Wawrinka indicated that future plans will be determined based on how the experience unfolds. He expressed gratitude for the love shown by the public, stating that this affection confirms to him that his career path was correct. The atmosphere in Basel is charged with anticipation as the community gathers to bid farewell to one of its most prominent athletes.