Federer leads tributes as Swiss Stan plays final RG match

A video tribute from Roger Federer marked the end of the French Open on Monday for Stan Wawrinka as the Swiss went out in the first round.

Joining Federer in celebrating the career of the three-time Grand Slam winner who will pack up his racquet at the end of this season were former rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and retiring French icon Gael Monfils.

Current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and his own rival Carlos Alcaraz also sent best wishes.  

The 41-year-old Wwarinka, who won the Paris title in 2015 and claimed Davis Cup and Olympic titles, reached a career high of third in the world.

He lost his opening match at this edition, defeated by 25-year-old Jesper de Jong 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The winner’s Dutch coach had once lost to Wawrinka back in the day.

Three-timm Grand Slam champion Wawrinka was surprised in a post-match on-cort ceremony orchestrated by TD Amelie Mauresmo and federation boss Gilles Moretton,

“Ciao Stanley, congratulations for your career and especially what you did when you won at Roland Garros,”  20-time Grand Slam winner Federer said in his message on the stadium video wall.

“It was exceptional what you did in beating novak in the final – I will neve forget it

“I spent so much time with you on the Tour over the course of your career. I hope you celebrate this final Roland Garros properly and that you enjoy everything up until the end of your career (coming at the end of this season).

“See you soon, old man.”

Nadal recalled that he and Wwarinak “grew up together” adding that the Swiss had “an unforgettable career.”

Djokovic, last of the fabled Big 3 still active in the sport, addressed his friend and rival: “Stanimal, congratulations on an incredible career.

“You were an inspiration to me and many other players across several generations (after 25 years in the sport).

“You have so much to be proud of, I’m very happy to call you a friend.”