Stan Wawrinka spoke about how special it was to have compatriot and tennis legend Roger Federer in the stands for his first-round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships against Benjamin Hassan on Monday.
The 40-year-old, who is set to retire at the end of the 2026 season, claimed a 7-5, 6-3 win to secure his spot in the second round in Dubai. Wawrinka was excellent on his serve and broke his opponent’s serve twice to claim the win.
Stan Wawrinka on Having Roger Federer in the Stands for His Dubai Opener
With friend and former doubles partner Federer in attendance, Wawrinka enjoyed a strong start to his Dubai Tennis Championships campaign. The three-time Grand Slam champion was later asked about what it meant to have the tennis legend in attendance for the match.
Wawrinka and Federer have enjoyed a strong friendship over the years and even competed together at several events, including the 2008 Olympic Games, where they won the gold medal in men’s doubles.
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“It’s as special as it is for everybody anyway. Roger is always going to be a legend of the sport and we have so many memories together since I started playing,” Wawrinka said during his post-match press conference.
“I was there, we played so many tournaments and team events together. He did tell me he was coming. Of course, it always adds some extra pressure,” he added.
Next up for Wawrinka in Dubai is a second-round clash against Daniil Medvedev or Shang Juncheng.
Wawrinka on 2026 Being His Final Year as a Tennis Player
Wawrinka also spoke about his impending retirement from tennis. The Swiss player will hang up his racket at the end of the year, but is continuing to stay competitive and deliver strong performances on the tour.
“All good things have to end and nobody can play forever. I’m not young, I’m 40, soon 41. As much as I am passionate and I’m still playing well, I know that it’s the right thing to do. And the year is long, it’s just the beginning of the year,” he said.
“It’s been amazing so far. I’m happy with the level, I’m happy with the support I’m receiving, how much emotional I got from each tournament with all the fans there. I have enjoyed that and I’ll keep pushing for more,” he added.
Wawrinka started his 2026 season with a third-round exit against Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open. He then made the second round in Montpellier and Rotterdam, and will have his sights set on making more strong runs in the coming months.
