Swiss tennis veteran Stan Wawrinka bid an emotional farewell to the French Open after losing to Dutch player Jesper de Jong in a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 match. The 41-year-old, who has had a remarkable career with Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open, was met with a standing ovation from the crowd at Roland Garros.

Wawrinka, who had previously delighted fans with a run to the third round at the Australian Open earlier this year, expressed his gratitude to the audience and the tournament organizers. “Thank you all. It’s hard, I don’t want to say goodbye to you here,” he said, acknowledging the support he received throughout his career.

Despite a spirited effort, Wawrinka was unable to extend his farewell tour in Paris. His opponent, Jesper de Jong, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser, managed to regain control after a mid-match challenge from Wawrinka. De Jong, 25, shared a light-hearted moment about his connection to Wawrinka, recalling how the Swiss player once faced his coach when De Jong was a ball kid.

Following the match, a video tribute was played, celebrating Wawrinka’s contributions to the sport. Tennis legends like Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic were among those who honored his career. Wawrinka reflected on the emotional experience, stating, “Three hours of emotion, three hours of battle thanks to you, thanks to the support you’ve given me all these years.”

While this marks the end of his appearances at Roland Garros, Wawrinka emphasized the passion that drove him to compete at the highest level for so long. “I know it was the end; I gave everything for this sport, and I know it’s the right choice,” he concluded, expressing his desire to continue experiencing the sport’s emotions until the very end.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.