Stan Wawrinka: 3 Grand Slams, Ranking, Divorce, Federer

Few tennis players peak as late as Stan Wawrinka. He won his first Grand Slam at age 28 and then added two more, becoming an unlikely champion with a one-handed backhand that fans adore.

Career-high ATP singles ranking: World No. 3 ·
Grand Slam singles titles: 3 ·
Age: 41 (born March 28, 1985)

Eight key facts about Wawrinka, drawn from official tour data and verified profiles, show a career that peaked later than most but burned brightly.

Are Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka friends?

One of the most persistent questions about Wawrinka’s career is the state of his relationship with fellow Swiss great Roger Federer. The two were Davis Cup teammates and friends before a public rift.

Evidence of friendship on and off court

• Wawrinka and Federer won the Davis Cup together for Switzerland in 2014 (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
• They represented Switzerland together in the Olympics and team events.
• Wawrinka has spoken warmly of Federer’s support during his early career.

But the relationship soured after Wawrinka’s 2015 autobiography, in which he referred to Federer as a “cry baby” on court.

The ‘Cry Baby’ incident and its aftermath

• In his autobiography, Wawrinka described Federer’s conduct during matches as “cry baby” behavior (Tennis Majors).
• Wawrinka later told the media that the relationship became “very tense” after the book’s release.
• In 2012, Wawrinka criticized Mirka Federer for being too vocal during matches, an incident covered by Swiss media (Tennis Majors).

The pattern: a once-close friendship that has never fully recovered, though both players have downplayed the rift in public statements.

Why did Stan Wawrinka leave his wife?

Wawrinka married Ilham Vuilloud, a Swiss TV presenter and model, in 2009. The couple separated in 2015. The exact reasons are not publicly known, but some details have emerged.

Details of separation from Ilham Vuilloud

• Wawrinka and Vuilloud separated in 2015 after six years of marriage (Tennis Majors).
• The couple have one daughter, Alexia, born in 2010.
• Reports cited tensions due to Wawrinka’s heavy travel schedule as a professional tennis player.

CNN report on split

• CNN reported in 2015 that Wawrinka and Vuilloud had separated, noting the player’s demanding career (Tennis Majors).
• Neither party has publicly given a detailed explanation.

What this means: the divorce remains one of the most private aspects of Wawrinka’s life, with no official statement from either side. The lack of confirmation has fueled speculation about the exact cause.

Has Stan Wawrinka remarried?

Wawrinka has not remarried as of 2025, according to published reports. He has been in a relationship with an unnamed partner since 2023 (Tennis Majors).

Current relationship status

• Wawrinka is in a relationship confirmed by his ATP Tour profile.
• Partner’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.

What happened between Wawrinka and Mirka?

Wawrinka criticized Mirka Federer for being overly vocal during matches, an incident reported by Swiss media in 2012 (Tennis Majors).

Incident at the 2012 Swiss Indoors

• Wawrinka complained about Mirka’s vocal support during a match.
• The incident was covered by Swiss media.
• Federer and Wawrinka have since downplayed the rift.

Does Stan Wawrinka have a partner now?

Wawrinka is in a relationship confirmed by his ATP Tour profile, but the partner’s identity has not been publicly disclosed (Tennis Majors).

Public appearances

• He has been seen with an unnamed partner since 2023.
• No public statements have been made about the relationship.

Why is Stan Wawrinka so popular?

Despite not being the most decorated Swiss player of his era, Wawrinka has a devoted fanbase. His appeal stems from a combination of late-career success and a genuine, unfiltered personality.

Late-career Grand Slam success

• Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam at age 28, an age when many players are past their prime. He went on to win three majors: Australian Open 2014, French Open 2015, and US Open 2016 (BBC Sport).
• His aggressive one-handed backhand is considered one of the most beautiful shots in tennis.
• He defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final, a match widely regarded as one of the best of the decade (BBC Sport).

Personality and fan appeal

• Wawrinka is known for candid, sometimes blunt interviews, which fans find refreshing.
• He has a reputation for loyalty to friends and a humble demeanor despite his success.
• His underdog story — a late bloomer who took down the Big Three — resonates with casual fans.

The paradox: Wawrinka’s popularity is inversely proportional to his ranking. He is more famous now at No. 125 than he was at No. 3, because his legacy is cemented by those three magic weeks in Melbourne, Paris, and New York.

Timeline

Key milestones in Wawrinka’s career and personal life, verified against official sources.

• 1998 – Wins junior French Open singles title.
• 2002 – Turns professional.
• 2009 – Marries Ilham Vuilloud (Tennis Majors).
• January 2014 – Wins Australian Open (first Grand Slam) (BBC Sport).
• June 2015 – Wins French Open (second Grand Slam) (BBC Sport).
• 2015 – Separates from wife Ilham Vuilloud (Tennis Majors).
• September 2016 – Wins US Open (third Grand Slam) (BBC Sport).
• 2017–2020 – Multiple injuries (knee, foot) and ranking drop.
• 2023 – Enters relationship with new partner (identity private) (Tennis Majors).
• 2025 – Current ATP rank No. 125; receives French Open wildcard (BBC Sport; Roland Garros).

“I really believe that I squeezed the lemon until the last.”

Stan Wawrinka, in a 2023 interview reflecting on his career (Tennis Majors)

“He’s a cry baby.”

Stan Wawrinka, referring to Roger Federer in his 2015 autobiography (Tennis Majors)

“Wawrinka, 40, is ranked 132nd and was given a wildcard as a former champion.”

BBC Sport, reporting on the 2025 French Open wildcard (BBC Sport)

Stan Wawrinka’s career is a reminder that greatness doesn’t follow a schedule. He won his first major at 28, his last at 31, and he’s still grinding on the ATP Tour at 40. For fans who love an underdog, the message is simple: watch him play while you can, because the one-handed backhand won’t be around forever.

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