Berrettini edges a four-tie-break epic to send Wawrinka into tearful Wimbledon retirement
Four sets, four tie-breaks, six set points saved: Matteo Berrettini edged a Wimbledon farewell from Stan Wawrinka 6-7 (9), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5), sending the three-time major champion into retirement after four hours and 20 minutes.
Stan Wawrinka and Matteo Berrettini, Wimbledon 2026 | © AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth/SIPA
Italian Matteo Berrettini came through a contest of the finest margins on Tuesday evening, edging Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka 6-7 (9), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in four hours and 20 minutes to reach the second round of Wimbledon — and bring the curtain down on a great career on the lawns where it had so often shone.
Every set went to a tie-break, and the match turned on a handful of points across more than four hours. The second-set breaker was the heart of it: a 24-point marathon in which Wawrinka held six set points, any one of which would have put him two sets to love ahead, only for Berrettini to save them all and take it 18-16 to level the match.
Having survived that, the former Wimbledon (2021) finalist edged the third and fourth breakers too, his comfort on grass ultimately the difference against an opponent who refused to yield. It was Berrettini’s first win at Wimbledon in two years, and his 16th of the season.
For Wawrinka, playing on a wild card, it was a farewell. The 41-year-old had announced this would be his final Wimbledon, and he pushed Berrettini to the limit before bowing out in tears. “I don’t want to retire, but I know it’s time for me to stop,” he said.
One of the reasons I kept playing for so long was to enjoy moments like tonight. So much emotion.
“One of the reasons I kept playing for so long was to enjoy moments like tonight. So much emotion. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity, to have received a wild card, to play one last time at Wimbledon.” He spoke of a lifelong bond with the tournament. “As a kid you always dream about being here one day, and I had the chance to play it so many times. It’s never easy to say goodbye to something you love so much. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better goodbye.”
Berrettini was visibly moved by the occasion, and marked it with a gesture that spoke to his respect for the man across the net. He ran after Wawrinka as the Swiss left the court to hand him a towel from the match as a keepsake.
He’s a legend, and he showed it today – an unbelievable player and competitor,” Berrettini said. “I remember in 2014 I was playing the juniors here, and I snuck onto Centre Court to watch him play Roger. To have the honour of playing against him here, that’s why I ran after him. I wanted to give him the last towel he played with at Wimbledon.”
Wawrinka, gracious to the last, had only warmth for his conqueror. “I pushed it to my own limit tonight — it was a great fight,” he said. “Matteo is a good friend and a great guy. He deserved to win, so congrats.”
Berrettini, ranked No 51, will next face French 20th seed Arthur Fils for a place in the third round.
