NEW YORK — Stan Wawrinka experienced a deeply emotional conclusion to his illustrious Grand Slam career at the US Open, receiving a warm and enthusiastic send-off from supporters at Flushing Meadows. The 41-year-old Swiss veteran announced that he will retire from professional tennis at the conclusion of the current season.

Wawrinka concluded his major tournament appearances following a straight-set loss to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. Although the match ended in defeat, the outcome was overshadowed by the affectionate tribute delivered by the New York audience.

Tournament organizers initially left Wawrinka off the initial wildcard list, but he received a late entry after American player Patrick Kypson withdrew from the draw. The decision to award the spot to the former champion was vindicated as thousands of spectators filled the 8,000-capacity Grandstand court to capacity.

The veteran competitor missed several early opportunities in the match, holding set points in both of the opening sets before Berrettini capitalized to secure the victory. Despite the competitive loss, the atmosphere remained celebratory as fans wearing custom merchandise honored the departing champion.

Following the final point, Berrettini offered a warm embrace at the net and led the applause for his opponent. Tournament chief executive Craig Tiley presented Wawrinka with a commemorative photo montage celebrating his memorable 2016 triumph at Flushing Meadows.

Visibly moved, Wawrinka expressed deep appreciation to the spectators who lined up early to secure their seats. He noted that experiencing such unwavering support was a primary motivation for continuing his professional career until the age of 41.

Wawrinka achieved remarkable success during an era dominated by tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. He claimed three major singles titles during his career, lifting trophies at the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open in 2015, and the US Open in 2016.

Reflecting on his two decades on the professional tour, the Swiss star remarked that the reception confirmed the value of his persistent effort and competitive drive. Before departing the court, he gestured to the crowd and hit several tennis balls into the stands as memorabilia for the supporters.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.