MONTE CARLO – Stan Wawrinka bid farewell to the Monte Carlo Masters as the 2014 champion fell 7-5, 7-5 to Sebastian Baez in the first round on Monday. The 41-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner will retire from tennis at the end of the season and entered the main draw in Monaco as a wild card 20 years on from his debut at the tournament.
The Swiss won his sole 1000-level title 12 years ago in the principality when he defeated his compatriot Roger Federer in a memorable final. Tournament organisers showed a video homage to Wawrinka after the match, prompting an emotional response from the veteran.
“It was a long time ago, but of course I remember it, it was exceptional,” Wawrinka said on-court. “To have the chance to play this final here, with this exceptional tournament, and to win it in addition, will always be one of my best memories of my career.”
A Promising Start Cut Short
Heading into his meeting with 65th-ranked Argentine Baez, Wawrinka’s only match since losing to eventual winner Daniil Medvedev in the last 16 at February’s Dubai Open was a three-set defeat to then-world number 348 Matteo Martineau at a challenger event on clay in Naples late last month.
Despite that, Wawrinka raced out of the blocks on Court Rainier III as he took a 4-1 lead in the opening set. The Swiss veteran looked sharp, moving well and striking his trademark one-handed backhand with authority.
However, Baez fought back to level scores at 5-5 before pouncing on Wawrinka’s serve in the 11th game to get ahead. The Argentine then carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Wawrinka’s opening service game to take control of the match.
Wawrinka mounted a stirring late comeback, showing glimpses of the form that made him a three-time Grand Slam champion, but Baez weathered the storm and closed out victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
A Legendary Career
Wawrinka’s career achievements place him among the elite of his generation. His three Grand Slam titles — the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open — came during an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. His ability to defeat all three of the “Big Three” in Grand Slam finals remains one of the most remarkable feats in tennis history.
His 2014 Monte Carlo title, where he defeated Federer in the final, was his only Masters 1000 crown. He also reached finals in Monte Carlo in 2016 and 2017.
What’s Next for Wawrinka
As reward for his win, Baez will next face world number one and reigning Monte Carlo champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. For Wawrinka, the loss marks the end of his Monte Carlo career, but not the end of his farewell tour.
The Swiss has announced he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, giving fans around the world one last chance to see him compete. His remaining schedule is expected to include appearances at the French Open, Wimbledon, the US Open, and potentially the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Other Results
Elsewhere on Monday, three-time former winner Stefanos Tsitsipas lost in straight sets to 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo. The Greek has not beaten a top-20 player on clay since August 2024, raising questions about his form ahead of the French Open.
Andrey Rublev, the 2023 champion, navigated his way through a topsy-turvy opener as the 13th seed beat Nuno Borges 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 to set up a round of 32 meeting with Zizou Bergs. World number 47 Bergs booked his spot thanks to a 6-4, 6-3 victory against 37-year-old Adrian Mannarino.
Arthur Rinderknech eased past 12th seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2 and will next play Joao Fonseca after the Brazilian teenager eased past Gabriel Diallo in two sets. Czech 11th seed Jiri Lehecka needed three sets to see off US qualifier Emilio Nava.
Analysis: An Emotional Farewell
Stan Wawrinka’s Monte Carlo farewell was always likely to be emotional, and Monday’s match delivered on that front. The 41-year-old showed flashes of his brilliance, particularly in the opening set, but ultimately could not sustain the level required to defeat a younger, fitter opponent.
The video tribute from tournament organisers was a fitting recognition of Wawrinka’s place in Monte Carlo history. His 2014 victory over Federer remains one of the tournament’s most memorable finals, and his two subsequent finals in 2016 and 2017 cemented his status as a fan favourite on the Côte d’Azur.
As Wawrinka embarks on his final season, each tournament will bring another goodbye. The Monte Carlo Masters was his first, and perhaps most emotional, farewell. But there will be more opportunities for fans to celebrate his career at the remaining Grand Slams and Masters events.
For the Swiss, the result mattered less than the occasion. “It was exceptional,” he said of his memories of Monte Carlo. For the fans who watched him lift the trophy in 2014, and for those who saw him play for the last time on Monday, the memories will last a lifetime.
