Stan Wawrinka denied final US Open appearance at 41

Stan Wawrinka will not play at the US Open during what is expected to be his final ATP season. The 41-year-old Swiss was not included among the tournament’s wild-card selections, ending his hopes of one last Grand Slam appearance on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The decision is particularly painful given his history in New York. Wawrinka had received invitations for the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon this season, but the US Open did not extend the same opportunity. He won the tournament in 2016 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final, the biggest achievement of his long association with Flushing Meadows.

His omission has drawn criticism, including because Venus Williams was awarded an invitation despite winning only one match over the previous three years. Magnus Norman, Wawrinka’s long-time coach, said the team had tried to secure a final major appearance but had narrowly failed, while expressing gratitude for their 13 years of memories in New York.

Wawrinka’s US Open record also includes semi-final runs in 2013 and 2015. He first reached a Grand Slam fourth round at the tournament in 2007, before injuries affected the later part of his career. The three-time major champion acknowledged his disappointment and thanked New York, the tournament and his supporters for the moments connected to his 2016 triumph.