Italian Open Overlooks Wawrinka for Wildcard Entry

The Italian Open missed an opportunity by not giving Stan Wawrinka a wildcard.

He’s a three-time Grand Slam winner and a former finalist in Rome, someone who deserved the chance to play in the main draw one last time.

There were really two errors from organisers regarding Wawrinka’s involvement this year.

First, he should have been given a wildcard. He’s in his final season, and fans with main draw tickets would have appreciated seeing him play once more in the Italian capital.

The second issue was expecting him to qualify. Even though he can still compete at a high level, he’s no longer at his peak, and there was always a risk he wouldn’t make it through qualifying.

In the end, it’s the fans who lose out, which is unfortunate for everyone involved.

Looking back on Stan Wawrinka’s run to the Italian Open final

Back in 2008, a young and unseeded Stan Wawrinka made an unexpected run to the Italian Open final. Along the way, he took down some big names: Marat Safin, Andy Murray, Juan Carlos Ferrero, James Blake and Andy Roddick.

The Swiss star would go on to lose that title match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 against Novak Djokovic.

Despite the loss, Wawrinka walked away from Rome with plenty of positives. The run not only gave him valuable experience but also propelled him into the world’s top 10 for the first time in his career.

“I was starting very well,” Wawrinka told reporters after the match. “The first set I was playing very well the first set. I was always before him; I was pushing him.

“But I think it changed his game and he was coming more in at the net. In the second and the third set he was serving very well, too.”

He later added: “Yeah, I of course a little bit disappointed because I lost today, but I lost against a very good player, the number three in the world.

“I didn’t play a bad match. Of course, I can do a little better, so that’s why I’m a little disappointed.”