Challenges Faced by Stan Wawrinka: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Stan Wawrinka faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Stan Wawrinka is a Swiss professional tennis player known for his powerful groundstrokes and aggressive style. He achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 3 and has won 16 ATP Tour-level singles titles. His major accomplishments include winning the Australian Open (2014), French Open (2015), and US Open (2016), defeating the world No. 1 player in the final of each. Wawrinka also earned an Olympic gold medal in men's doubles with Roger Federer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and played a key role in Switzerland's 2014 Davis Cup victory.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

January 2011: Separation from family

On January 4, 2011, it was reported in Swiss media that Stan Wawrinka separated from his wife and daughter, less than a year after his daughter's birth.

April 2015: Divorce Announcement

On April 19, 2015, Stan Wawrinka announced on his Facebook page that he and Ilham Vuilloud were divorcing, though Vuilloud disputed his version of events the following day.

2015: Djokovic Denied Calendar Year Grand Slam

Wawrinka's 2015 French Open victory denied Djokovic the 2015 calendar year Grand Slam.

August 2017: Knee Surgery and Season End

On August 4, 2017, Wawrinka announced that he would undergo surgery to repair damage to his knee and would miss the remainder of the 2017 tennis season.

2018: 2018 Season: Italian Open, Geneva Open, French Open, Eastbourne

In 2018, Wawrinka lost in the first round of the Italian Open and his title defense ended in the quarterfinals of the Geneva Open. He also lost in the first round of the French Open, causing his ranking to drop. At Eastbourne, he lost to Andy Murray.

2018: 2018 Season: Australian Open, Sofia Open, ABN AMRO, Open 13

In 2018, Wawrinka lost in the second round of the Australian Open. He then lost in the semifinals of the Sofia Open, and in the first round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. At the Open 13 in Marseille, France, he retired during his first match due to a knee injury.

2021: Foot Injury and Season Missed

Following early exits in Rotterdam and Doha, Wawrinka had surgery for a left foot injury in 2021. This caused him to miss the clay, grass, and hardcourt seasons, including the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.