Wawrinka Forced to Retire by Boredom as Swiatek’s Routine Win Highlights Tournament’s New Normal

Three-time Grand Slam champion gets emotional send-off; Iga Swiatek defeats opponent, gravity, and the concept of competition in under 90 minutes

PARIS — Stan Wawrinka walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier for the last time on Tuesday, ending a storied Roland-Garros career with an emotional farewell at age 41. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who won the French Open in 2015, was defeated in the first round by a younger opponent, closing a chapter that spanned two decades at the tournament.

The Swiss veteran, known for his powerful one-handed backhand and late-career resurgence, received a prolonged standing ovation from the Paris crowd as he exited the stadium, his eyes glistening with emotion. “I’m just glad they remembered me,” Wawrinka told reporters afterward, dabbing at his eyes with a towel. “For a second there, I thought I was just the opening act for Iga’s daily highlight reel.”

And what a highlight reel it was. Top seed Iga Swiatek, the Polish world number one, advanced with a straight-sets victory that underscored her near-unbeatable form on clay. The match lasted 67 minutes, during which Swiatek broke her opponent’s serve six times, won 83% of points on her first serve, and reportedly considered learning to juggle between games to make things more interesting. “She’s not just winning, she’s making winning look like a boring chore,” said commentator Mats Wilander. “It’s like watching a Roomba clean a floor that’s already spotless. Impressive, but where’s the drama?”

Swiatek’s dominance has become so routine that tournament organizers have begun scheduling her matches in the background of Wawrinka’s farewell ceremonies. “We figure one is sad and the other is inevitable,” said tournament director Amélie Mauresmo. “Might as well combine them and save on court rental.”

While Wawrinka’s departure marks the end of an era for men’s tennis, Swiatek’s march toward a fourth French Open title feels less like a competition and more like a coronation. “I’m just trying to stay focused,” Swiatek said, barely breaking a sweat. “But it’s hard to get motivated when you know you’ll win. I’ve started setting personal challenges, like ‘Can I win without moving my feet?’ or ‘Can I make my opponent cry before the second set?’ So far, I’m 2-0.”

The day’s schedule also featured Gaël Monfils, the charismatic French veteran, in what could be his final appearance at Roland-Garros. Monfils, 38, has hinted at retirement in recent months, and his match later Tuesday carried an air of finality. “We’re basically running a retirement home for aging stars now,” noted editor Kevin, who has been staring at the tournament draw since Monday. “Wawrinka leaves, Monfils might leave, and in the corner, Swiatek is just... winning. It’s like watching a funeral next to a parade.”

As Wawrinka waved goodbye to the crowd, fans waved Swiss flags and chanted “Stan the Man” long after the match concluded. Meanwhile, Swiatek had already returned to her hotel, cooled down, and started planning her victory speech. “I think I’ll thank my team, my racket, and the fact that no one in the women’s draw seems to remember how to hit a backhand down the line,” she said, smiling. “It’s lonely at the top. But at least I have clay.”

Wawrinka’s 2015 title at Roland-Garros, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final, remains one of the tournament’s most memorable upsets. But in 2025, upsets are as rare as a rainy day in July. “Back then, unpredictability was part of the game,” Wawrinka mused. “Now it’s just Swiatek and a bunch of us has-beens trying to get a good farewell wave in. I’m not bitter. I’m just tired.”

Kevin, still staring at the draw, muttered something about the existential void of a sport with no rivals. “It’s like watching a single tree in a forest that’s been clear-cut. Beautiful, but deeply unsettling. I need a nap.”

Ispirato da: Real news: Wawrinka's emotional farewell at French Open while Swiatek cruises into next round

Categoria: Sport

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