Stan Wawrinka expressed gratitude to the US Open and New York after his 2026 triumph, calling it "one of the greatest moments of my life." The 41‑year‑old, who will retire at year’s end, missed a wildcard for a farewell appearance in New York despite having earned wildcards for the Australian Open and Wimbledon and reaching the French Open main draw. He reached the third round in Melbourne and lost first‑round matches at Paris and Wimbledon. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) declined to comment on the decision.

Wawrinka’s emotional post highlighted how the city transformed from overwhelming to a favorite, citing unforgettable battles, late nights, and crowd love. He noted his status among the few major winners outside the 'Big Three' era, recalling his 2016 US Open victory and 17 New York appearances since 2005. His coach, Magnus Norman, also thanked the US Open for the past 13 years of memories.

Wildcards are reserved for players outside the top 100 who did not qualify by ranking, and reciprocal wildcards are allocated by national federations, not the US Open. The tournament begins Sunday, 30 August at Flushing Meadows.