Stan Wawrinka will be competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics after he was granted a wild card, the Swiss Olympics Team has confirmed.
Wawrinka, who turned 39 in late March, will play at the Olympic Games for the third time and, in all likelihood, the last in his decorated career. He was a gold medalist in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he partnered with countryman Roger Federer.
His last Olympic participation was in London 12 years ago, when he lost to eventual winner Andy Murray in the first round in straight sets. Wawrinka did not compete in the last Olympics in Tokyo because of a foot injury he sustained in early 2021.
It's been a difficult season for the declining three-time Grand Slam champion, who has won just four matches at all levels in 2024, all of which came on clay. He has slid to 93rd in the rankings as of June 28th.
Although his ranking did not qualify him for direct entry, Wawrinka benefits from one of the two wild cards reserved for former Grand Slam and Olympic champions in the singles tournament, which can accommodate a maximum of 64 players in the draw.
"Wildcard for Wawrinka – Swiss Olympic Team grows to over 80 athletes. Wawrinka was selected today along with 23 other athletes in the sports of tennis, cycling, beach volleyball, artistic gymnastics, golf and equestrian sports."— The Swiss Olympic team tweeted on X
Wawrinka will not be the only Swiss tennis player at the Olympics. WTA World No. 69 Viktorija Golubic has moved up the entry list because a large number of higher-ranked players have withdrawn.
A few others have missed out on qualification because every nation is limited to a maximum of four of its best-ranked players in the Top 56.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be played at Roland Garros, the venue of the clay-court Grand Slam. Wawrinka knows this tournament well, having won it in the past. He will warm up for the event by playing in the ATP 250 in Gstaad.
Wildcard für Wawrinka – Swiss Olympic Team wächst auf über 80 Athletinnen und Athleten Wawrinka wurde heute zusammen mit 23 anderen Athletinnen und Athleten in den Sportarten Tennis, Rad, Beachvolleyball, Kunstturnen, Golf und Pferdesport selektioniert. bit.ly/45Ev9zD
