The final wild card drama at the 2026 US Open has taken another turn. Just days after 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka shared an emotional farewell to New York following his omission from the initial wild card list, the Swiss veteran is officially back in the tournament.
The USTA initially faced heavy criticism over the decision, but Patrick Kypson’s withdrawal due to injury opened the door for Wawrinka to make one final US Open appearance before retiring at the end of the season. The news sparked plenty of cheerful reactions from fans, while some continued to question the USTA’s wild card decisions.
Stan Wawrinka Gets US Open Wildcard as Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker, and Others React
Wawrinka’s return to the US Open gives him a fitting chance to end his Grand Slam career in New York. The three-time major champion won the title in Flushing Meadows in 2016, famously defeating Novak Djokovic 6–7(1), 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 in the final. Now ranked outside the direct-entry cutoff, he needed a wild card for what he has announced will be his farewell tour.
The USTA initially gave the final wild card to the 26-year-old American, Kypson, choosing younger local talent over the former champion. On Andy Roddick’s “Served” podcast, he and journalist Jon Wertheim discussed how wildcards can also be awarded through special agreements between Grand Slam nations. Frenchman Gaël Monfils secured his spot, but Wawrinka had no such option because Switzerland does not host a Grand Slam.
The initial decision disappointed fans and tennis insiders, although Wawrinka responded with a graceful goodbye to New York on social media. Now, Kypson’s late withdrawal has changed everything.
“I’m incredibly excited to accept the wild card for the 2026 US Open and look forward to competing in front of the fans in New York once again,” the former World No. 3 said.
Stan. The. Man. pic.twitter.com/trFykpFQRK
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2026
The last-minute return sparked a wave of excitement on social media, with fans and tennis legends celebrating the decision. 18-time Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova voiced her frustration over the original snub, writing, “Well hallelujah!!! Should have gotten it in the first place.”
Well hallelujah!!! Should have gotten it in the first place https://t.co/X6YQU4V2sp
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 26, 2026
Former World No. 1 Boris Becker also welcomed the decision, saying, “Well deserved! Think the whole tennis community is very happy about this decision awarding Stan with a wildcard for his last GS !!!”
Well deserved!
Think the whole tennis 🎾 community is very happy about this decision awarding Stan with a wildcard for his last GS !!! https://t.co/ImmWHRNMuf— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) August 26, 2026
Broadcaster Gill Gross had a humorous take on the situation, writing: “Lets take this moment to thank Patrick Kypson for his noble sacrifice.”
Meanwhile, Wertheim, who had earlier confirmed that Wawrinka was fit and ready to play, also pointed out a strange rule behind his last-minute entry. He wrote on X, “Ironically, if stan had entered the qualifying draw (as dimitrov did) he wouldn’t have been eligible for today’s @usopen wild card….ah, tennis.”
MORE: Coco Gauff Draws Bold Reaction From Former World No. 1s as US Open Nears
Many fans felt the USTA should have given Wawrinka a wildcard from the start. One supporter wrote on X: “@usopen @stanwawrinka You guys really should have awarded him one in the first place it shouldn’t have taken an injury.”
The tournament starts on Sunday, August 30, with the draw ceremony taking place on Thursday.
