Hard to say goodbye! The strongest one-handed backhand player among men will retire next year.

When we talk about male players with a one-handed backhand, who do you think of first? Is it the graceful and aggressive Federer? The nimble and adaptable Gasquet? Or Thiem, whose big backswing produces tremendous friction and powerful topspin? Surely every tennis fan has their favorite. Among the limited number of one-handed backhand players in men’s tennis nowadays, the Swiss veteran Wawrinka is certainly a prominent name.

How then can Wawrinka’s one-handed backhand be characterized? Like thunder and lightning, more like a cannonball that lands heavily on the opponent’s court. No matter the tactics or skills, during his peak, his sheer power made them all seem fragile. His signature “big eagle spreading wings” style of backhand down the line still leaves fans in awe.

As one of the few male players to win multiple Grand Slam titles during the era dominated by the Big Three, Wawrinka’s career blossomed somewhat late after turning pro in 2002. In the 2006 season, at age 21, he claimed his first tour title on the clay courts of Croatia. It wasn’t until the 2014 Australian Open that he made a historic breakthrough by reaching the men’s singles final, defeating Nadal to claim the championship, and later that year he won his first Masters title in Monte Carlo, beating Federer in the final.

The following year at the French Open, Wawrinka reached his second Grand Slam final and defeated Djokovic to win. At the 2016 US Open, he secured his third Grand Slam title. His undefeated streak in Grand Slam finals was only broken when he lost to Nadal in the 2017 French Open final. Having won three Grand Slam singles titles across three different majors, he has already surpassed many other male players in achievement.

In recent years, Wawrinka has struggled with injuries. As he ages, recovery has become more difficult for the Swiss veteran. He underwent surgery on his left foot in 2021, and it was not until his return at the 2022 Rome Masters that he ended a 455-day winless streak.

Fans know that born in 1985, Wawrinka is no longer young and cherish every moment he competes on court. However, every professional athlete must eventually say goodbye, and recently he announced that 2026 will be his final season.

“Every book needs an ending, and it’s time to write the last chapter of my professional tennis career. 2026 will be my final year on the tour.”

With a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 3, three Grand Slam singles titles, and an Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles from Beijing, memories of Wawrinka go far beyond these achievements. What impression of this Swiss veteran stays with you the most?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Barbie)