Stan Wawrinka: Grand Slams, Federer, and Net Worth
Few tennis players have carved out a legacy quite like Stan Wawrinka’s. In an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the Swiss powerhouse won three Grand Slam singles titles with a one-handed backhand that became the stuff of legend.
Grand Slam titles: 3 ·
Highest ATP ranking: No. 3 ·
Career prize money: USD 36.8 million ·
Turned pro: 2002 ·
Height: 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) ·
Age: 41 (born 28 March 1985)
Quick snapshot
- Won 3 Grand Slam singles titles (2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, 2016 US Open) (Reuters)
- Highest ATP ranking: World No. 3 (ATP Tour)
- Olympic gold in doubles with Federer (Beijing 2008) (Tennis Majors)
- Exact retirement date not officially announced (Reuters)
- Current net worth is an estimate (~$20 million) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Status of friendship with Federer is private, though Wawrinka says it’s “very good” (Blick)
- He has spoken about tension with Mirka Federer (Blick)
Seven key facts about Stan Wawrinka, drawn from official records and verified reporting.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Stanislas Wawrinka |
| Date of birth | 28 March 1985 |
| Turned pro | 2002 |
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lbs) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Career prize money | USD 36,842,994 |
Are Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka friends?
The Federer-Wawrinka friendship timeline
- Wawrinka first trained with Federer when he was 16 years old in Biel on clay (Tennis Majors).
- They won Olympic gold in men’s doubles for Switzerland at Beijing 2008 (Tennis Majors).
- They helped Switzerland win the Davis Cup in 2014 (Tennis Majors).
- Wawrinka described spending ten days together in the Olympic Village, playing cards and laughing, as part of what bonded them (Tennis World USA).
Wawrinka has said Federer was “like a big brother to me, a friend” (Sportskeeda). He also called Federer’s retirement “hard to process” and added that Federer “deserved a better exit” (Tennis Majors).
What caused tension between them?
- Wawrinka described a “very tense” period involving Mirka Federer, Federer’s wife, after a match between the two Swiss players (Blick).
- Blick, a Swiss outlet, reported that Wawrinka said his relationship with Federer remains “very good” after Federer’s retirement (Blick).
- The two saw each other briefly in Melbourne and Dubai in 2026 (Blick).
Wawrinka and Federer share Olympic gold, a Davis Cup title, and decades of history, yet their friendship has weathered public tension. The relationship remains private, but Wawrinka’s own words suggest it endures far more than the headlines imply.
The implication: their friendship is complex but resilient, rooted in shared triumphs and tested by personal friction.
Why is Stan Wawrinka so popular?
His underdog appeal
- Wawrinka won 3 Grand Slam titles (2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, 2016 US Open) during the peak of the Big Three era (Reuters).
- He defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final, a match widely considered one of the greatest clay-court performances (ATP Tour).
- His powerful one-handed backhand is among the most recognizable shots in modern tennis.
Grand Slam triumphs against the Big Three
- At the 2014 Australian Open, he beat Rafael Nadal in the final (ATP Tour).
- At the 2015 French Open, he beat Novak Djokovic in the final (ATP Tour).
- At the 2016 US Open, he beat Djokovic again in the final (ATP Tour).
Personality and one-handed backhand
- Wawrinka is a native French speaker from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, which endears him to francophone fans.
- He is known for his candid, unfiltered press conferences and his willingness to speak openly about his emotions.
In an era where the Big Three won 60+ Grand Slams combined, Wawrinka’s three titles represent a rare and celebrated break in the monopoly. Fans connect with his grit, his vulnerability, and the sheer beauty of his one-handed backhand.
The pattern: his underdog story and shot-making turned him into a fan favorite.
Has Stan Wawrinka beaten Federer?
Head-to-head record
- Overall, Roger Federer leads the head-to-head 23–3 (Wikipedia).
- In Grand Slams, Wawrinka leads 3–1 as of 2024 (Wikipedia).
Key matches Wawrinka won against Federer
- 2014 Australian Open quarterfinal — Wawrinka won in four sets (ATP Tour).
- 2015 French Open quarterfinal — Wawrinka won in straight sets (ATP Tour).
- 2015 US Open semifinal — Wawrinka won in four sets (ATP Tour).
Three heavyweight wins, one pattern: Wawrinka rose to his best level on the biggest stages, while Federer held the edge in smaller tournaments over a long career.
| Category | Federer leads | Wawrinka leads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall H2H | 23–3 | — |
| Grand Slam H2H | — | 3–1 |
| Grand Slam titles | 20 | 3 |
| Olympic gold (doubles) | 1 (shared) | 1 (shared) |
| Davis Cup titles | 1 (shared) | 1 (shared) |
| Highest ATP ranking | No. 1 | No. 3 |
The implication: Wawrinka’s three Grand Slam wins over Federer came at critical moments, showing that when the Swiss No. 2 brought his best game, he could beat the master on the sport’s biggest stages.
Is Stan Wawrinka going to retire?
Wawrinka’s statement on retirement
- Reuters reported that Wawrinka said he would retire at the end of 2026 after a 24-year professional career (Reuters).
- He has not officially announced a specific retirement date, leaving room for nuance.
His final French Open appearance in 2024
- Wawrinka played what is widely expected to be his final French Open in 2024, waving an emotional goodbye to the crowd (ESPN).
- The Hindu reported that Wawrinka announced a farewell event titled “One Last Backhand” in Geneva on December 19, 2026, with Roger Federer and Andy Murray set to join (The Hindu).
- He has indicated he plans to continue playing in 2025 before the farewell.
The catch: the exact date remains unconfirmed, but the timeline is clear.
How rich is Stan Wawrinka?
Net worth estimate
- Net worth is estimated at $20 million (Celebrity Net Worth).
- Career prize money stands at over $36.8 million, with the exact figure at USD 36,842,994 (ATP Tour).
Prize money earnings
- Prize money alone places him among the top 20 earners in ATP history.
- Endorsements from Yonex (racquets), Audemars Piguet (watches), and other partners supplement his income.
The trade-off: Wawrinka’s net worth is modest compared to Federer’s $500+ million, but his $36.8 million in prize money reflects a career built on merit, not marketing alone.
Does Stan Wawrinka speak French?
Wawrinka’s language skills
- Wawrinka is a native French speaker, born in Lausanne in the French-speaking canton of Vaud, Switzerland.
- He gives interviews comfortably in French and English, and also speaks German.
Interviews in French
- He frequently conducts post-match press conferences in French at Roland Garros and other francophone tournaments.
- His Swiss French accent and ease with the language make him a favorite among French-speaking tennis fans.
His multilingualism adds to his appeal among international fans.
Timeline
- 2002 — Turned professional (ATP Tour)
- 2008 — Won Olympic gold in doubles with Roger Federer (Tennis Majors)
- 2014 — First Grand Slam title: Australian Open (Reuters)
- 2015 — Won French Open, defeated Novak Djokovic in final (Reuters)
- 2016 — Won US Open (Reuters)
- 2024 — Played final French Open, waved emotional goodbye (ESPN)
- 2026 — Planned retirement and farewell event “One Last Backhand” (Reuters; The Hindu)
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Stan Wawrinka has won 3 Grand Slam singles titles (Reuters).
- His highest ATP ranking is No. 3 (ATP Tour).
- He made an emotional exit from the French Open in 2024 (ESPN).
What’s unclear
- Exact retirement date is not announced (Reuters).
- Current net worth is an estimate.
- Status of friendship with Roger Federer now is private, though Wawrinka says it is “very good” (Blick).
- He has spoken about tension with Mirka Federer (Blick).
Quotes
“He was like a big brother to me, a friend.”
— Stan Wawrinka on Roger Federer (Sportskeeda)
“He deserved a better exit.”
— Stan Wawrinka on Federer’s retirement (Tennis Majors)
“I have no plans to hold hands with Federer.”
— Stan Wawrinka, joking about their relationship (Blick)
Stan Wawrinka is preparing to close a 24-year career that defied the odds of his era. For tennis fans who watched him rise from the shadow of a national legend to win three Grand Slams, the choice is clear: catch him on tour in 2025, or join the celebration in Geneva on December 19, 2026, because the one-handed backhand that conquered the Big Three will not be back.
His remarkable late-career achievements are covered in his remarkable late-career achievements, which also discusses his friendship with Federer.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stan Wawrinka’s highest ATP ranking?
World No. 3, achieved in January 2014 (ATP Tour).
How many Grand Slams has Stan Wawrinka won?
Three: 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, and 2016 US Open (Reuters).
Is Stan Wawrinka married?
He is not currently married. He has a daughter born in 2010 from a previous relationship.
What racket does Stan Wawrinka use?
He uses Yonex racquets, specifically the Yonex VCORE Pro series (Yonex).
Did Stan Wawrinka win an Olympic medal?
Yes, he won Olympic gold in men’s doubles with Roger Federer at Beijing 2008 (Tennis Majors).
How tall is Stan Wawrinka?
183 cm (6 ft 0 in) (ATP Tour).
What language does Stan Wawrinka speak?
He is a native French speaker (Swiss French) and also speaks English and German.
Has Stan Wawrinka ever been ranked world number 1?
No, his highest ranking is No. 3 (ATP Tour).
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