The ‘Stanimal’ and the ‘showman’ have both called time on their professional tennis careers in 2026. Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils, two of the sport's most popular and entertaining players, have played their final matches, bringing the curtain down on memorable careers.
Though their journeys and achievements were vastly different, both leave behind memories that go beyond titles and statistics. Both also received fitting farewells from fans at the tournaments they competed in during their final seasons.
Ask any tennis fan what shot they will remember Wawrinka for, and the answer is likely to come without a second thought: his one-handed backhand. Arguably one of the most powerful and heaviest one-handed backhands the game has seen. Few, if any, have played the stroke as well as the Swiss, and it is a shot that will be sorely missed.
Beyond the power and artistry, however, what truly defined Wawrinka's career was his ability to deliver on the biggest stages. While he was considerably less consistent than the Big Four – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – Wawrinka had a knack for rising to the occasion when the stakes were highest.
Wawrinka started playing tennis at the age of eight, without coming from a traditional tennis background. His parents ran an organic farm that also employed and supported people with disabilities. His journey to the top of the sport was far from straightforward.
He turned professional in 2002, but it took him three years to break into the top 100. He reached the top 10 for the first time in 2008 before making his maiden Grand Slam final appearance at the 2014 Australian Open, where he went on to win his first major title.
Winning three Grand Slam titles during the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic was an achievement in itself. But what made Wawrinka's triumphs even more special was the quality of opposition he overcame. During each of his three Grand Slam title-winning campaigns, he defeated a reigning world No. 1.
At the 2014 Australian Open, Wawrinka beat World no. 2 Djokovic in the quarter-finals before defeating Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the final to claim his maiden Grand Slam title. A year later, at Roland Garros, he produced another memorable run. After defeating World no. 2 Federer in the quarter-finals, Wawrinka beat Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the final to lift the French Open trophy.
His third and final Grand Slam title came at the 2016 US Open, where he defeated Djokovic once again, winning 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
His performances at the biggest tournaments often led fans to speak of a 'Big Five'. But the Swiss was never comfortable with that comparison. He repeatedly acknowledged the gap between his achievements and those of the Big Four, describing comparisons with them as "disrespectful" to what they had accomplished.
"I'm miles away from what they've achieved. I think it's a bit disrespectful for them," Wawrinka had said on the 'Nothing Major' podcast. Wawrinka, however, has always been content with what he achieved. The opportunity to compete against the greatest players of his generation and, more importantly, beat them was something he cherished.
Playing in the same era as Federer often meant Wawrinka was viewed as the second-best Swiss player. But that never appeared to affect their relationship. The two shared a close bond and enjoyed considerable success together. They partnered to win the men's doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later helped Switzerland secure its first Davis Cup title in 2014.
As injuries took their toll and the final chapter of his career approached, the numbers and trophies gradually took a back seat to the experience of being on court. The 2026 season was Wawrinka's farewell tour, giving him the opportunity to say goodbye to the tournaments and fans who had been part of his 24-year journey. It was only fitting that he played his final professional match at the Swiss Indoors Basel, surrounded by friends, family and home supporters.
The 41-year-old brought his career to an end on October 27, 2026, with a 7-5, 7-6(2) defeat to Jiri Lehecka. The result mattered little on a night when the crowd was there to celebrate the career of one of Switzerland's greatest tennis players.
"I have received so much love, I have lived through so many emotions in my last year at 41, feeling competitive. I have played top players, I have played young players as well. I have had very good matches. For me, it's an ideal ending," Wawrinka said.
Monfils' legacy, unlike Wawrinka's, cannot be measured by Grand Slam titles or victories over the biggest names at the sport's biggest tournaments. Across a 22-year career, the Frenchman never won a major or defeated any of the Big Three at a Grand Slam. Yet few players have left such a lasting impression on tennis fans without having the biggest trophies to show for it.
Monfils was a performer in every sense of the word. His explosive speed, incredible athleticism, spectacular dives and seemingly impossible defensive shots made him one of the most exciting players to watch. He could turn defence into attack in a flash, produce an outrageous tweener or finish a point with a smash.
For Monfils, tennis was never just about winning. It was about entertaining, expressing himself and connecting with the crowd. Whether chasing down an almost impossible ball or pulling off an audacious winner, he brought an element of unpredictability to the game that few could match. Watching him was as much about the spectacle as it was about the scoreline.
The 40-year-old Frenchman inspired generations of fans with the joy and freedom he brought to the court. He was one of those players whose brilliance was best appreciated in the moment, the kind of player you simply had to watch to understand. His absence will leave a void that statistics and records cannot quite capture.
That does not mean his career lacked achievements. Monfils won 13 ATP Tour titles, reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6 and recorded 588 tour-level match victories. He also won at least one Grand Slam match in 22 consecutive seasons, equalling the Open Era record shared by Federer and Djokovic. He was also among a select group of players to reach a tournament final in 19 consecutive years.
His final tour-level appearance came at the US Open in September, where he lost to Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round. Monfils had announced that 2026 would be his final season, but his competitive career ended earlier than expected.
There was no major title to mark the end of his journey, but Monfils had given the sport something just as memorable: a career that reminded people that tennis could be as much about the joy of playing as it was about the pursuit of winning.
Wawrinka and Monfils may have taken very different paths, but both gave tennis something that cannot always be measured in trophies. Wawrinka showed that even in an era dominated by extraordinary champions, there was room to create a legacy of his own. Monfils, meanwhile, reminded fans that the beauty of sport lies not just in winning, but also in how it makes people feel.
Their racquets may be down, but the memories they leave behind will remain.