“It Sure Hurts” — Stan Wawrinka’s Coach Sends a Heartbreaking Message After He Is Denied a US Open Wild Card, Igniting Fresh Anger and Emotion Over the Controversial Decision
Stan Wawrinka’s coach Magnus Norman sent a heartbreaking message to the retiring Swiss veteran after the US Open refused to offer the 41-year-old a wildcard entry into this year’s men’s singles main draw. The New York major’s decision to not award Wawrinka a wildcard entry, despite the Swiss requesting one, has stirred controversy, with many feeling that the three-time major champion and former US Open winner deserved better.
Norman, who is currently serving in his second spell as Wawrinka’s coach, took to his Instagram Stories and posted a picture of an emotional embrace the pair shared after the Swiss’ emphatic title triumph at the 2016 US Open. The 50-year-old Swedish coach, who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 during his own playing days, captioned the post:
“We pushed to play one last Grand Slam at 41 years of age but we just came up short. It sure hurts but thanks for all the beautiful memories on and off the court together with you and the team in New York for the last 13 years.”
The US Open’s decision stands in stark contrast to the Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships awarding Stan Wawrinka wildcard entries into the respective majors earlier this year. It means that the former No. 3’s final Grand Slam outing goes down as a first-round loss that he suffered at the hands of Matteo Berrettini at this year’s Wimbledon.
At the US Open, his final main draw appearance came two years ago as a wildcard, which ended with a straight-set, first-round loss to qualifier Mattia Bellucci.
Stan Wawrinka upset Novak Djokovic in memorable US Open 2016 final
At the 2016 US Open, Stan Wawrinka was the third seed in the men’s singles main draw. The Swiss reached the final with wins over Fernando Verdasco, Alessandro Giannessi, Dan Evans, Illya Marchenko, Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori.
However, Wawrinka faced a daunting challenge in the final, with then-World No. 1 Novak Djokovic awaiting him. Ultimately though, the Swiss upset the Serb with a 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 victory to win his third and final singles major crown. He had previously conquered the Australian Open in 2014 and Roland Garros the following year.
Remarkably, all three of Wawrinka’s major title triumphs came on the back of the Swiss defeating the World No. 1 in the finals.
