Source: Radio New Zealand
PHOTOSPORT
Former Grand Slam tennis champion Stan Wawrinka is returning to the ASB Classic this summer.
Wawrinka, who has won 16 titles including three Grand Slams, has confirmed his entry for the Auckland tournament in January.
The 40-year-old Swiss star last played in Auckland as a 21-year-old.
Wawrinka played at the ASB Classic in 2006 and 2007 before going on to win the the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open, accounting for Novak Djokovic twice and Rafael Nadal in those finals.
Included in his 16 ATP singles titles were 11 straight wins in finals from 2014 to 2016. He rose to a career high No 3 in the world in 2014.
His injury-free years ran out when he required two left-knee surgeries in 2017 and two surgeries on his foot in 2021.
ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin was quick to offer Wawrinka one of the remaining wildcard spots for the tournament as the Swiss star returns to the game at the highest levels.
“Of course, we have Venus Williams to play in Auckland, along with Gael Monfils, who will defend his men’s title. And now we add Stan Wawrinka to that list – three truly great players who believe that 40 is the old age of youth.
“At his best, Stan was able to better all the world’s leading players including the big four. He has always revelled in the biggest matches against the biggest names,” said Lamperin. “We are absolutely thrilled to host him back in Auckland.”
Wawrinka represented Switzerland at three Olympic Games, at Beijing in 2008 where he won the gold medal in doubles with Roger Federer; London in 2012 where he was the Swiss flagbearer, and at Paris in 2024. He had qualified for the Rio Games in 2016 but withdrew with injury.
The 2026 ASB Classic runs from January 5 to 17, with the women’s tournament in the first week.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
