Stan says goodbye to Monte Carlo

Stan Wawrinka wrapped up his career at the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday as the former champion took a 7-5, 7-5 first-round loss to Sebastian Baez.

The South American winner earned a match with top seeded holder Carlos Alcaraz as a result of his defeat of the 2014 champion here who won three Grand Slam titles.

The 41-year-old Wawrinka is concluding his career this season  and was competing in the principality for the 16th time.

He broke his Argentine opponent as Baez served for victory leading 5-2 in the second set and repeated the break for 5-all.

But the veteran Swiss lost his own serve for the sixth time to trail 5-6, with Baez serving out the win on his second chance with a forehand to the corner.

“My dream was to play in the main draw here,” Wawrinka said. “I always wanted to push myself to my limit.

“I wanted to keep going at the top of the sport. The best memory I will have is the fans pushing me when I was down.”

Wawrinka said he is determined to keep to his plan to close out his career in the autumn.

“If I want to play the full year, I need to keep the mindset of a competitor. So I’m always pushing myself. I’m always trying to improve, trying to be better. 

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to try to keep winning some matches. Doesn’thelp me much, but at the end, that’s the athlete I am. 

“I’m always going to come on court to try to win, and I cannot just arrive and try just to enjoy because it’s my last one and who cares.”

He also outlined a possible schedule for 2026.

“I’m playing next week Barcelona, then probably Rome qually, Geneva. I will see if I have the chance to play Roland Garros.

“I would love to play something on the grass – hopefully Wimbledon. Then I play Gstaad, Estoril. 

“Hopefully I can play US Open. We will see if I play a tournament before,no? Cincinnati qually or maybe a challenger. After, we’ll see. Basel, for sure. Lyon also. Lyon, Basel, for sure.

The rest we’ll see. It’s too far.”