Stan Wawrinka and Daniil Medvedev at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 25, 2026.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka said goodbye to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday (February 25) after a straight-sets loss to former champion Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev defeated the 40-year-old Swiss 6-2, 6-3 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, ending Wawrinka’s 20-year association with the tournament. Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of the season, was honoured by organisers after the match. He received a traditional khanjar and a commemorative cake before an appreciative afternoon crowd applauded him off Centre Court. The Swiss star made his Dubai debut 20 years ago this week against compatriot Roger Federer and went on to win the title in 2016. He opened this year’s campaign with a victory over Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan but found Medvedev a tougher hurdle in the second round. Medvedev, who also won the Dubai title in 2023, broke serve three times in the opening set. Wawrinka managed one break but could not sustain the pressure. Seven aces from the Russian helped seal the second set. “Dubai has always been special,” Wawrinka said. “Since I first arrived on tour, Dubai was always a tournament you look for. So many great players, so many amazing champions play here. One of the biggest on the ATP Tour. I had the opportunity to win it in 2016, so for me it was amazing to receive a wildcard this year and have the chance to play here this week. It was not the best finish, but Daniil is a tough and great player. I tried, but he was better than me.” Medvedev said the tribute was meaningful. “It’s amazing to play against him for what might be one last time,” Medvedev said. “It’s special because usually you sit and wait for your opponent to make a speech only in the final, so it was cool to see the tournament make this gesture to Stan. It’s not his last tournament, but it’s his last tournament here, so it’s cool to see a legend like Stan being appreciated.” PIA/MFD/Expat Media
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