Stan Wawrinka addresses retirement speculation as Grand Slam champion soon turns 40 | Tennis | sport

Stan Wawrinka has held talks about retiring after likely playing his final game of the 2024 season.

The three-time Grand Slam winner turns 40 next year and is now well outside the top 100 in the world.

While some of his contemporaries, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, decided to end their careers this year, Wawrinka shows no signs of slowing down.

Wawrinka was edged out by Ben Shelton in a close two-setter at the Swiss Indoors Basel on Thursday. The 39-year-old was not given a wildcard for next week's Paris Masters and is not on the entry list for Metz or Belgrade the following week, meaning his season is likely over.

The former world number 3's future was uncertain when he left the court. He has shown some promising signs recently – reaching the Stockholm semi-finals – but he has largely struggled with form this year.

But Wawrinka quickly shared his intention to continue competing until 2025, even though he turns 40 in March. “My plan was always to keep going,” the current world number 169 told the Tages-Anzeiger.

“The way I feel in tennis and physically, how well I train, what level of play I achieve… But of course there is also the reality of the results and rankings.”

The Swiss star admitted things could change if he can no longer compete on the biggest stages. But even though his ranking has dropped this year, his determination has not weakened.

He added: “If I no longer have the opportunity to take part in the big tournaments that I normally enjoy, it could affect my motivation. Until now, that hasn’t been the case.”

Wawrinka will be enjoying a bit of a boost in the rankings after reaching the second round of his home tournament as he looks set to break back into the world top 150. Now he hopes to receive a wildcard for the Australian Open in January as a former champion.

The 39-year-old has made a habit of setting some of the 'oldest' records in recent weeks and by committing to the 2025 season he will continue to try to prove that age is just a number.